The Principle Of Chance M Howson

Jack decided to have  shower and make some phone calls. He considered picking up more sheets from the side table. It was a script for a new movie Frank had given him to look through. He strode into the kitchen to put the espresso maker on. There it was; - a little note with Nancy’s phone number. He shook his head; these girls were all the same.

He loved his life - his penthouse, the beach house, fast cars, money and women. He also had good friends, which in this city was scarce. Happiness? What was that? – it didn’t exist.

Jack Harvey’s acting career started in 1945, when he was fifteen years old. He was working as an extra in a low budget film at Golden & Red Studios. One of the producers noticed his good looks and Jack was offered a one-line speaking role. It was a female producer of course. He worked hard to show off what he could do. Before long, he managed to get a lead role alongside one of the major heartthrobs, Gregory (Smooth Boy) Taylor.

The high demand for cheerful, entertaining movies during the coming years, provided him with a steady job. Jack’s love of women began as his fame grew. There were always gorgeous, well presented women hanging out on movie sets. He didn’t have to work hard; usually a smile was a good start.

Jack had never married; he didn’t need a blissful family life. There was no such thing in his mind as a happy family. His parents came from the working class and lived in a rundown trailer on the outskirts of the city. They struggled with money and argued all the time. His father liked to drink, and that gave him the courage to beat up his wife and his only son Jack. At the age of fourteen, Jack ran away. He couldn’t stand it anymore and there wasn’t much he could do. The one-time Jack tried to stand up to his father, he had beaten the shit out of him.

During Jack’s first night on the street, he met a woman called Suzie. Jack was a smart kid and he knew what she was after. She was of a certain age and she offered to house Jack in return for regular servicing.

‘I have needs sugar.’ She explained, while feeling the bulge in Jack’s trousers.  ‘I like it….’ She said suggestively.

Suzie taught Jack the art of pleasing a woman. He was a fast and grateful learner, however after a few weeks of living with Suzie he wanted out. She was an addict who needed to be pleasured day and night.

He regularly found himself at the front gates of Golden & Red Studios and boldly enquired about a possible job. For weeks there was nothing but one day his luck turned; they needed a runner, his life was about to change.

 

Frank arrived at one of his offices on Eucalyptus Hill. It was located in one of the remaining nineteenth century commercial buildings, surrounded by appraised restaurants, art galleries and designer boutiques. Frank’s office was on the top floor of a stunning Victorian building, overlooking tall palm trees and the beautiful Laurel Park. The office was designed with comfortable armchairs scattered around the period fireplace; the oak panelled walls and sparkling chandeliers were an additional luxury.

He greeted his secretary, Edna, and firmly requested not to be disturbed. Frank sat down behind his enormous desk. He lit a cigar, one of his old habits that surfaced from time to time and took out the envelope Mr Green left, from his briefcase. He placed it on the desk. Before he could look at the contents, Don came in.

‘What time would you like the meeting to start?’

Frank looked up surprised. ‘What are you doing here so early? I thought you were at a meeting.’

‘They pulled out.’ Don informed him.

‘They did?’

‘Works better for us Frank.’ Don knew what he was doing, Frank didn’t need to be concerned.

‘You say we have a meeting?’ Frank enquired.

Don was an amazing addition to his team of people. He was diligent, precise and discreet. He’d been with Frank for over forty years. He’d found Don in one of his offices doing meaningless paperwork. Frank made some enquiries about him turned out, Don was a lawyer struggling to get a job. Frank offered him a temporary position in his company and never looked back. They had formed a strong business relationship.

‘The strategy meeting?!’ Don offered.

‘All right! We can have it now.’ Frank buzzed his office secretary.

‘Edna dear, bring us some coffee and hold my calls for a while.’

She responded straight away. ‘Yes Mr Orban.’

Within minutes Edna, a woman in her forties dressed in a black suit, came in with a bright smile on her face. She placed two fresh coffees on the small table.

‘Where are the cakes?’ Frank was disappointed.

‘You know what the doctor said Mr Orban.’ Edna replied.

‘To hell with the doctors! Bring the cakes. I know you Edna, you have a tray full of my favourites!’

Edna and Don started laughing. Frank couldn’t be fooled.

‘You know me too well Mr Orban.’ She said.

Edna left and shortly returned with some scrumptious-looking cakes artistically placed on a silver tray.

‘Don’t you play this trick on me again woman.’ Frank grumbled, helping himself to a slice of chocolate cake.

‘Business now.’ Frank sat back to listen to Don’s report.

‘I had the final meeting with the ‘Blue Title’ production company. They are interested, but I will need to double check the terms before signing. All seems in order. The lead role for ‘Your Night & My Day’ has been cast. Ley Sinclair has been signed as you requested.’

‘She agreed to the fee?’ Frank questioned.

‘Yes she did. I didn’t need to offer our top budget.’

‘You are a clever man Don! I like it. These actresses are paid too much anyway. Ordinary people don’t earn a quarter of it in their whole life.’

‘I also have the annual ‘revisit’ report ready for you. I have taken the liberty of arranging a meeting for next week, at your house with Mr Harvey.

‘Already?’

‘It has been a year.’ Don said.

‘So it has. Maybe this review is needed. Do you think it is worth a go? ’ Frank mused.

‘It’s a worthwhile cause!’

‘I suppose it is.’

After the meeting, Frank had a number of contracts to go through, which will take him to the end of the day. He needed to employ another lawyer; times had changed - nowadays there had to be a contract for everything.

Amy Ronay was enjoying a pleasant drive home in her black BMW. She lived in a rented house in the Hills. The drive was perfect to clear her head. The attractive views over the mountains and the ocean were breath-taking.

Her head was filled with work. The work she was considering giving up. Mr Carter, her boss, had overstepped the mark and Amy felt the time had come to move on.

Being a commercial lawyer had some setbacks, especially when you worked for a company where the boss wanted to get to ‘know’ you better.

Carter’s represented important clients and charged the earth. She wasn’t working on commission; they only paid her a reasonable salary. She had made up her mind; it was time to leave.

Amy was thirty years old, a tall slim girl, with shiny dark curly hair. She was a natural beauty with sparkling blue eyes. In Hollywood, where beauty mattered, people were constantly under pressure to look good. Amy, to try her best, signed up for yoga classes and she worked out from time to time, but it wasn’t her thing. Oh, well but Mr Carter appreciated her efforts with his searching eyes, - she was sure of that.

She considered calling Mr Carter, to inform him that she was quitting – maybe later. She must  think it through, what she wanted to say to the man she detested.

In front of the gate to her house, she tapped in the code. The gate opened soundlessly and she drove into the cobbled courtyard. The house was peaceful. The smell of freshly cut grass scented the air, and the pretty fountain surrounded by colourful flowers was just gorgeous. The land was walled by high hedges that gave the privacy she craved. She met the Spanish housekeeper Maria, as she was leaving the house.

‘I am finished today Miss Amy. Maybe you need anything else…?’ Maria said with a smile.

‘No! No, I am ok. Have a nice evening. I will see you tomorrow.’

‘Ok Miss Amy, I will be here tomorrow.’ Maria opened the door of her ‘seen better days’ car but struggled to start it up – as usual.

‘One day I will buy you a new car and you will have to accept it!’ Amy informed her. Yet, Maria was a proud woman, who wouldn’t dream of accepting a car from Amy.

‘Oh no, Miss Amy. You don’t do that; this is a good car.’ She said happily as the car started up. She waved to Amy and drove off.

There were things Amy wanted to attend to and first of all she needed to make a call to cancel a date she had agreed to. Why again? She dialled the number. It rang out. Maybe he won’t answer and she’d be off the hook!

‘Hey…girl, you called.’ Ed was buzzing on the line.

‘About tonight …’ She began.

‘Fancy the Steak House?’ He asked eagerly.

Ed had met Amy through a client who needed to sell a house - urgently. Ed’s athletic body, blond hair and blue eyes worked magic on girls. Even on Amy – she had to admit.

‘I have to work tonight. Something urgent came up.’ Amy said.

‘I’m asking you out sugar, are you saying no?’ Talk about disappointment. He expected Amy to jump to attention.

‘I don’t know …’ Amy didn’t like his tone.

‘Pick you up at eight?’ Ed wasn’t going to take a no! ‘Baby imagine a lovely dinner in a happening restaurant. You can relax and get back to your work later.’ He could get any girl he wanted. Surely, she knew this. Amy was a sweet honey, maybe too brainy but she might come in useful. Ed was selling overpriced mansions to the rich and famous. He made mega bucks out of a good sale. He was quite ruthless in his dealings but always got away with it. People wanted him to be confident – well at least that’s what he told himself.

‘All right! I suppose I will have to deal with work later.’ Amy surrendered. She needed a distraction to take her mind off Mr Carter and Ed might just be it!

‘That’s my girl!’ Ed was pleased – he’d won! Again!

Amy finished the call and stood still for a moment. She had a feeling Ed was going to be a one date only!