Confessions of a Hollywood Agent Read online

  Marshall’s voice could be heard calling the suite on the portable radio. “Marshall calling. Are you there?” Jimmy went to pick up the radio.

  “Jimmy here. Go ahead.”

  “We got word. They released Fangio. The race is delayed until he gets here. I’ll keep you posted. Over and out.”

  Marge came out of her room. She was dressed and made up. She looked tired, but glamorous. She wore bright yellow slacks, with a leopard print blouse. Her magnificent jewelry flashed in the light. She went to the bar and fixed herself a bloody mary.

  “Christ, between what’s going on outside and all this commotion in the suite I was lucky to get my eyes closed.” She looked to Thorton.

  “Well, Thorton, you’re disgusting sitting there in your underwear.

  Is that your costume for the day?”

  “Lay off me, Marge. Can’t you see I’ve got a lot on my mind?”

  “Jimmy, call room service and see if you can get some food up here.

  I’m starved,” said Marge.

  Jimmy went to the phone and picked it up. He heard it ring repeatedly. “They don’t answer,” said Jimmy.

  Marty and Georgia sat in their suite watching television, trying to make some sense out of what was going on in the city. Numerous bulletins came onto the screen of different areas of Cuba, where they would see fighting. It was in Spanish, so they weren’t getting the drift of it. The phone rang. Marty picked it up. It was George Raft.

  “Marty, there’ll be a car for you in front of the hotel entrance. It’ll take you to an airport outside of Havana. A small plane will be waiting for you and take you to Key West. Give the pilot five hundred. Meyer is willing to wait for the five grand. He likes you. He knows you’re good for it. Good luck, kid.”

  “Aren’t you leaving, George?”

  “I can’t, kid. I got to look out for my investment and take my chances and wait to see what happens.”

  “I understand, George. Good luck to you. George, thanks for everything. You’re a great friend.” Marty hung up.

  “We’re leaving, honey. You all packed? Aren’t you happy we’re getting out of here? Clint fucked up. He should be here. He’s missing his chance. That’s his problem, not mine.”

  Georgia had been thinking about Luis. She picked up a small bag, and she and Marty left for the lobby. With Marty’s bodyguards leading their way.

  Down in the pits the race was about to start. Word had gotten around that Fangio was not going to show. The starting line-up had Gregory of Kansas in a Ferrari, Moss of England in a Ferrari and Shelby of Dallas in a Maserati, followed by Lebe of Los Angeles.

  One hundred and fifty thousand spectators assembled around the course. The military had the crowd under control, but they were restless and hot because of the long delay.

  The checkered flag dropped. The cars took off in a cloud of dust and smoke with the shrill cry of their powerful engines screaming in the crowd’s ears.

  Everyone stood on the balcony of Thorton’s suite as the checkered flag dropped. They had a spectacular view of the course below. If it weren’t for the crazy political atmosphere, Clint thought, this would be an almost perfect day.

  Masten Gregory was holding first position with Shelby and Moss right beside him. The crowd leaned forward on the track watching for the cars to appear from down course. Crowd control became hectic keeping the spectators back. Clint thought, what a wonderful sight. All the colors, the cars, their paint glistening in the bright sun, the flags waving in the light tropical breeze off Havana Bay. The sweet smell of Castrol oil traveled upward in the wind. The scream of engines intermingled with the roar of the crowd. He knew they were witnessing the pageant of sport car racing at its best.

  Thorton and Corky came in from off the balcony. Corky went to the bar.

  “Whacha d-drinking Thorton?”

  “Pour me a scotch double, no ice.” Corky gave Thorton his drink.

  “I gotta to call Texas. Ch-check on my well,” said Corky as he picked up the phone.

  “H-hello, operator. Get me Midland, Texas. Double-four-two one-six-six. I’ll w-wait.” Corky looked to Thorton, sitting on the sofa.

  “Th-thorton, it’s-it’s the b-best producing sand in West Texas.

  I-I’mm dr-drilling in. You got one-th-third of the well for t-wenty f-ive t-hhousand. It’s the best d-deal I every put ya in, huh,” yelled Corky over the sound of the race cars below.

  “Holy shit, Corky, can’t you see I’m trying to win a race, for Christ sake. Don’t bother me with that horseshit. Jimmy, JIMMY,” yelled Thorton toward the balcony. Jimmy came in from outside.

  “What position is Roman in?”

  “He’s running fourth. Masten is still in first. They’re getting around slowly. They’re having a hard time keeping the crowd back,” said Jimmy as he went back onto the balcony to watch the race.

  Corky’s call got through. “Howdy Dave, Oh, I’m in H-havana.

  What’s happening at the well? Y-you w-what? I’m not hearing y-ya Dave. S-say that again. Holy smokes! I’ll c-call ya back.” Corky stumbled over to Thorton.

  “Thorton, I need twenty-five gggg’s fast. You got to g-give to m-me. I’ll have to shut down if y-you don’t,” he pleaded.

  “Corky, are you nuts, for Chrissake? Get away from me.”

  Corky pulled Thorton off the sofa down on the floor and jumped on him. He grabbed Thorton around the neck, choking him. “Get off of me.” Thorton’s face turned red.

  Clint came in the room to get a drink and saw Corky on top of Thorton. He ran to pull him off. Thorton got his breath back and Clint helped him back on to the sofa.

  “Corky, what the hell’s the matter with you? Are you crazy? You could of killed Thorton.”

  “Thorton promised he’d give me twenty-five G’s to drill the well.

  He keeps putting m-me off.”

  A roar and screams were heard from outside. A minute later Dorothy, in a state of collapse, came in from the balcony assisted by Jimmy and followed by Clint. He helped her to the sofa to sit.

  “What’s going on out there?” asked Thorton in alarm.

  “A black Ferrari crashed into the crowd. A lot of people were hurt or killed,” said Clint.

  “It’s awful. The crash brought back all those terrible memories when I saw Geoffrey killed. Oh, I hate this awful sport … all the killing.

  It should be outlawed. Get me something to drink, Clint.”

  Clint went to the bar and poured Dorothy a glass of water. She drank it and settled down. “Why did I come to this fucking place?” she said.

  Tana came to console her. Clint went back out on to the balcony.

  Clint saw the driver of the black Ferrari had hit an oil slick and skidded off the course into the crowd directly in front of the Nacional Hotel. It was a mass of spectators lying on the ground in all directions.

  A yellow flag was up, and the cars on the track moved slowly in a holding position. Ambulances tried to get through the crowds to the causalities. President Batista and his family were escorted out of the grandstand.

  Clint came back into the suite and picked up the portable radio. He went back onto the balcony and tried to call Marshall.

  “Clint calling Marshall. Come in Marshall.”

  “Marshall here … looks to be a lot of fatalities. They’re stopping the race. The cars went five laps. That qualifies the race as a done event.

  Tell Thorton our car ran sixth.”

  “Get back here quick. We want out of this town.” Clint waited to hear Marshall’s reply. Then he heard a giant explosion. He could see in the far distance smoke and fire rising. He heard guns and aircraft.

  Canon-fire throughout the city. He could see Havana was under siege.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Clint ran in from the balcony and turned on the television. There were pictures of buses stopping in the streets, their drivers leaving their vehicles. Photos of the Havana train station appeared, the trains abandoned. More shots of the airpor
t; no planes were arriving or taking off. Clint went to the phone and picked it up. It was dead. He and Dorothy went to the door of the suite and opened it. The guards pushed them back into the room.

  “Are we hostages?” asked Dorothy. Everyone was concerned and frightened.

  “There’s a possibility. The rebels took American hostages in eastern Cuba. But these guys are Batista’s men. It doesn’t make sense to me,” said Clint.

  “We might as well have a drink. There’s no food in this damn place.

  I’m absolutely starved. If they’re going to shoot me, I’d sure like a last meal,” said Marge.

  “You’re talking real brave, Marge. Why would anyone want to shoot an old broad the likes of you? The only reason I see is for all those bangles I’ve bought you through the years,” said Thorton.

  “They can have my jewels. I only got them to appease your guilt with those whores of yours, you old bastard.” Marge spit out at Thorton.

  “Naah, come on, Marge. There wasn’t a bartender on Sunset Strip you didn’t screw,” said Thorton.

  “Thorton, you’re absolutely horrible. Why do you always have to bring up that old crap. You, you, you make me so mad I could spit,”

  Marge, trying to compose herself.

  “Come on, you two, this is no time for bickering. We got a serious problem. Let’s try to figure some way to get out of here. How much money does everyone have?” asked Clint.

  “Thorton?”

  “I got about five, maybe six thousand.”

  “Corky?” Corky reached into his pocket and pulled out some bills.

  “I got about a g-grand here,” he said.

  Dorothy took a small diamond and ruby bracelet off her wrist and gave it to Clint.

  “Nathan, gave me this. I’m sure he’d mind, but I don’t care.” said Dorothy.

  “Dorothy, we don’t need it. It might come in handy later. Thanks anyway,” said Clint, giving her back the bracelet.

  Tana took off her shoe and took a folded five hundred dollar bill from under the insole and gave it to Clint.

  “It’s my walkin’ around money. It’s meant to be used in emergencies,” said Tana.

  “Thanks, honey,” said Clint, giving her a smile. Clint reached in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Jimmy gave him five hundred.

  “Thanks Jimmy, I got about two thousand. Hell, with this kind of money we could buy this place. Here’s my plan. We got Marshall on the outside. It’s only ninety miles to Key West. We got enough money to bribe the guards and hire a boat. I noticed the stairway comes out by a garden that leads to Jose Marti Park. Marshall can meet us at the park entrance with a car. How does that sound to everybody,” he asked?

  Dorothy kissed him. “Cowboy, you darling. I knew I could count on you to take care of me. Wait tell I tell Nathan you saved my life,” said Dorothy.

  “Clint, if y-you g-get m-me out of here I’ll g-give y-you a piece of o-of m-my new oil w-well for a sm-small price,” said Corky.

  “Corky. Darling. What about me? Have you got any of that oil well left for me?” asked Dorothy.

  “We have to travel light. Take only the necessities. No high heels, Marge. Jimmy, get Thorton dressed.”

  “I can’t leave my beautiful clothes,” said Marge.

  “It’s your clothes or you, that’s your choice,” said Clint.

  “You’re tough,” said Marge.

  “Someone has to be, with this group,” said Clint, as he picked up the radio and called Marshall.

  “Marshall, come in Marshall.”

  Marshall’s voice came in over the radio. “Marshall here, go ahead.”

  “Don’t try to come back to the hotel. We’re prisoners in the room.

  Go to the harbor and hire a boat to take us to Key West. Tell the boat owner we will pay him half now, half when we get there. When you get the deal done, come back to Jose Marti Park. Wait for us by the entrance. Good luck!”

  There was silence among everyone. Jimmy had been attending to Thorton, who has been quiet. Jimmy approached Clint, not wanting the others to hear.

  “Thorton will have trouble staying up with us. He hasn’t eaten in two days. All the stairs and the walking will be tough for him. I could give him a shot. It’s an upper, but it’s bad for his heart. I’d like to give him an IV, which is mostly sugar for energy. He shouldn’t be drinking when I do. He’s not sick enough to stop drinking, so we’ll have problems. Talk to him.”

  Clint sat down next to Thorton. “Thorton, Jimmy says you’ll need an IV. You’re going to need some strength for our journey,”

  “I don’t want an IV. I need a drink,” said Thorton.

  “No more booze for you. Now get into some clothes. Jimmy, no more booze for Thorton and Corky. Watch them. They’ll try to sneak it,” said Clint. “Thorton, lay down on the sofa. Act sick. I saw a portable oxygen tank earlier. Where is it?” he asked.

  “Here,” said Jimmy picking up the tank by the door.

  “Bring it here. Thorton, put this oxygen mask on. Tana. help him with it. Act like his nurse. It’ll pick up your blood, Thorton. I’ll get the guard in charge in here, and tell him Thorton’s dying and we have to get him to a hospital. Gather around Thorton, everybody, and look concerned.” Clint opened the door. The guards in the hall moved up and stood in his face. Clint, in his bad Spanish said. “The Guardio, Numero uno, por favor. Emergencia, emergencia, muy importante,” he said. A fat Cuban guard said. “Que pasa, señor?”

  “Usted hablas Inglish?” said Clint, standing behind the half open door.

  “Poco, señor”

  “Me amigo, corazon, malo, enfermo.” Clint pantomimed the heart being sick and at the same time flashed a roll of big bills in front of him.

  The guard called another guard who came into the room. Clint escorted the number one guard over to the sofa and the other one stood at the door. Thorton was stretched out on the sofa and looked as if he could die at any minute. Everybody played their part perfectly. The guard was convinced. He called the other guard to have a look. They both agreed the old man was dying.

  “Hombres, por favor, nostros vamos el hospital.” Clint counted out two thousand dollars for them. The guards’ eyes bulged. Clint could tell they had never seen money in that amount being offered to them before.

  “Todos.” said the guard as he moved his arm to include everybody in the room.

  “Si’,” said Clint. The guard spoke in Spanish to the other guard.

  The other one answered him back.

  “Okay”, he said. It worked. Thorton let go a loud fart. The second guard broke into a roar, and then acted sheepish when the other guard scowled at him. Everyone looked to each other trying to hold back their laughter. The guards left the room.

  “Thorton, you could have waited till after they’d gone to do that. It almost ruined everything, but I have to give it to you. You’re a good actor,” said Marge.

  “Hell, Marge, I been acting all my life. How do you think I could have lived with you? Gimme a drink,” said Thorton.

  “No drinks, Thorton. Not until we get out of here. Jimmy, get some pants on Thorton. He can’t stay in his underwear.

  “Do you think they will be back?” asked Dorothy. “They will.

  They’re not going to leave two grand behind,” said Clint as he held up the money. They heard a rap at the door. Clint went to open it. The two guards were back. He let them into the suite. Jimmy and Tana had gotten Thorton down on the sofa and put the oxygen mask back in place.

  “Señor, mil dolares mas,” said the Guard.

  “He wants another thousand bucks,” said Clint.

  “OK.” He gave them the three thousand, which the number one guard quickly put in his pocket. Clint motioned the guards to come over to the sofa. Thorton had gotten his pants on in time. He showed them how to pick up Thorton and carry him. Jimmy carried the oxygen tank attached to Thorton. Everyone followed Thorton and the guards out the door.

  As Clint had guessed, the elevator was
n’t working, so they took the stairs. It was ten flights down. Everyone was glad it wasn’t ten flights up. As they moved down the stairway, Clint helped Corky with the steps trying to steady him. Clint became curious as to what was happening on the other floors. He went to open the door on the eighth floor, but the guard stopped him.

  When they got to the lobby floor stairwell the guards would go no farther. They put Thorton down on the floor and said “adios”, walking back up the stairs, yelling obscenities and laughing as they disappeared.

  Dorothy said, “Clint, I have to leave you here. I’ve got to get back to the Riviera. Nathan will be going crazy wondering what happened to me.

  I’ll duck into the back streets. Don’t worry, I’ll be all right. Goodbye, everybody. You’re in good hands with Clint. He’ll get you out of this mess. Keep the faith. Bye, Clint, I’ll see you in Hollywood.” She gave Clint a kiss and put a scarf on over her hair and started to leave the stairwell.

  “Dorothy, take my things out of my room with you.”

  Dorothy nodded as she left.

  Clint checked out his group. We’re certainly conspicuous looking, he thought. We’d get attention anywhere.

  “It could be a long walk ahead. Stick together. Act like Americans.

  We’re above all of this crap. Tana and Jimmy, you hold on to Thorton.

  I’ll walk with Corky and Marge. Okay, let’s go.”

  Clint opened the door as they moved into the lobby. It was filled with people, mostly tourists. Two men who were rebels ran toward them with armed soldiers in pursuit. The crowd opened up to let them past. Shots were fired and the two men fell to the floor in front of them.

  Screams and commotion followed. Everyone tried to find places to go for cover. The smell of gunpowder and the crack of the bullets moved the air through the mammoth room. Clint could smell the sweat of terror coming from his body. Marge became hysterical, sobbing. The two dead men lay at their feet, blood flowing into a pool on the marble floors. The soldiers ran up inspect them.