want to throw aspersions on Hélène’s veracity, or whatever, but I hardly think a man like Mike Lazarus is going to discuss important business in front of a girl friend. He’s secretive and paranoid, among other things.’
‘I agree with you. And perhaps someone less bright than Hélène would not have been able to put two and two together and make six. It was all pretty cryptic. However, a number of things he said led her to believe he was referring to us, and our picture, although he didn’t actually mention any names.’
‘Then how can she be so sure?’ Victor demanded, giving Nick a doubtful stare, one brow lifting.
‘Because he had some scathing things to say about a screenplay by an esoteric novelist who is also a Rhodes Scholar, to quote Hélène quoting him. He was also extremely disparaging about a movie star who thought he was a producer, who was suffering from la folie des grandeurs. Again, that’s a direct quote. It has to be us, Vic.’
Straightening up in the chair, Victor said, ‘O.K. I’ll grant you that. Now shoot. Give it to me straight.’
Nick took a deep breath. ‘He wants a new script by another writer. He won’t approve of an unknown actress playing the female lead. He thinks the budget is astronomically high. He discussed that at great length, by the way, with whoever was on the other end of the line. Hélène distinctly heard him say he thought it was padded, that three million dollars couldn’t be justified, couldn’t possibly show up on the screen. He seemed to think, from the tenor of his conversation, that he was about to be bled dry and robbed blind. Finally, he said he was going to remove the producer if he didn’t toe the line, and make him do what he did best. Acting.’
‘The son of a bitch!’ Victor exclaimed quietly, and his black eyes flashed dangerously. ‘What makes him think he can take over my film without so much as a by your leave! A project I’ve worked on for almost a year!’
Nick said evenly, ‘Because he has unmitigated chutzpah and also because he’s holding the cheque book. That’s why he thinks he can take over. And you know it.’
Victor gazed at Nick silently. Then he nodded, and after a long moment, he said, ‘Lazarus is correct about the budget, Nicky. It is too high. Mind you, it’s not padded. Merely erroneous.’ He glanced at the desk. ‘I’ve been sitting there all morning, cutting production costs.’ He related the conversation he had had with Jake Watson the previous evening, and went on, ‘I’m trying to bring the picture in at two million dollars.’
‘That ought to more than satisfy Lazarus,’ Nick said. ‘But there’s still the question of the script, and your position as producer –’
Cutting in, Victor said, with unusual sharpness, ‘Lazarus knows he cannot, and I repeat cannot, remove me as producer under any circumstances, however much screaming he does. He’s obviously trying to pull one on. And as the producer I have the final word on the script, and Lazarus knows that too.’
‘Even so, I honestly think he’ll give you trouble about casting an unknown in the Catherine Earnshaw role.’ Nick stopped, wondering uncertainly whether or not he should go on, and then he plunged in: ‘Listen, Vic, perhaps that is a bad idea. I know you can carry the picture yourself, that you don’t need any other big-name stars backing you up, but maybe Lazarus does have a point. Why even bother to test Katharine Tempest? Why don’t you give the part to an established movie actress, and save yourself additional problems with Lazarus?’
Victor shook his head. ‘No, Nicky. I’m testing Katharine.’
Nick observed him closely, and noting the adamant set of his jawline, he refrained from comment. He wondered to himself if Victor and Katharine were romantically involved, and quickly dismissed the idea as highly unlikely. But even if they were, the days of the casting couch were long since gone. Besides which, Victor was too shrewd, too tough and too much of the businessman to fall into that dangerous trap. He wouldn’t take any chances with his career, or his money, for a quick fling with a passing fancy. Notwithstanding, Nick was curious. ‘Why are you so keen on testing her?’
‘Because I gave her my promise, and because in a way she has earned it. Of course, there’s another reason, the most important reason of all. I just happen to believe she would be perfect in the part. There’s a kind of wildness in her, a fire, that reminds me very much of Cathy in Wuthering Heights. I think she would be as good as Merle Oberon in the role, perhaps even better. It strikes me Katharine Tempest has a lot more vivacity and spirit. If she tests the way I hope she will, I’m going to put her in the picture, and to hell with my backers, whoever they are.’ Victor’s mood changed abruptly, and he gave Nick a smile that hinted at his satisfaction. ‘I’m also going to sign her to a contract with Bellissima Productions. You see, I have a sneaking feeling Katharine Tempest is going to be a big star one day, although I wouldn’t say that to anyone else but you until after I’ve seen the test. Look, trust me. I know what I’m doing. From the very first moment I met Katharine I have felt that she has that – that indescribable thing, that IT. Charisma. Star quality. Whatever you want to call it. If she can project this quality to the camera, and I hope she can, then she’s home free. She’ll be very, very big. If she can’t –’ He pursed his lips regretfully. ‘Well, she’ll go on being a brilliant actress. On the stage.’ Now he chuckled, his eyes merry. ‘I don’t know why you haven’t spotted this quality in her yourself.’
‘As a matter of fact, I have. But –’ Nick’s voice trailed off and he lifted his shoulders in a weary gesture. ‘Look, Vic, I have to repeat that Lazarus will never go for the idea of an unknown actress in this role, however good she is. He seems hell bent on getting a big female movie star to play opposite you. You know something else? I have a strong suspicion he’s going to arrive in London before you can blink. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he’s here already.’
Victor rose and poured himself another Scotch. ‘I might as well tell you, I’ve been seriously thinking of dumping Lazarus.’ This was uttered with casualness, indifference even, and he looked unconcerned. ‘In fact, the thought’s been hovering at the back of my mind for a couple of weeks. He’s an autocratic, interfering bastard. A megalomaniac. And just because he runs a giant multinational corporation doesn’t mean he knows how to produce a movie, although he undoubtedly believes he does. But he’s a rank amateur in our business. It has struck me innumerable times lately, and quite forcibly, that I’m letting myself in for a lot of headaches if I take him into Bellissima Productions. Or rather, let him invest in the picture. I’m sorry I ever got involved with him, to tell you the truth. And what I’ve just heard from you makes me more wary than ever. I think I have to lose him, and quickly.’
‘Jesus, Vic! That would be great. But how are you going to get rid of him? I thought you had a contract.’
‘A contract was drawn between Bellissima Productions and Lazarus, but I haven’t signed it yet. There were a couple of clauses in it that bothered me, and I sent it over to my solicitor here. A copy has also gone to my lawyer in Beverly Hills. I’m waiting for their opinions before I sign. So you see, I can dump him any time I want, without fear of repercussions. As yet, Mike Lazarus hasn’t invested a nickel, you know. So basically, he has no claims whatsoever. I’m still in the driver’s seat.’ He settled back, looking smug.
‘But how will you finance the picture without him?’ Nick asked worriedly.
‘Ah, and therein lies the rub, to quote good old Will Shakespeare. To be honest, I don’t know right now. I hadn’t wanted to go to one of the majors for financing as well as distribution, but I might have to in the end. Anything is better than Lazarus. Metro might be interested. What do you think?’
Nick frowned. ‘I honestly don’t know. They might not be too excited by a remake of Wuthering Heights. Did you see that story in Variety a couple of weeks back? The exhibitors were sounding off about remakes, and in very strong terms. They think they are box office poison, that people aren’t interested in them.’
‘Oh come on, sport, forget it, and let me worry about the timeliness of the picture, the money, and all that jazz.