Page 11 - Like No Business I Know

Movie Time

here to embarrass you with a recitation of your peccadillos. I am here
to offer you a very advantageous contract for your services.”
Visions of sugar plums danced briefly across the silver screen of
Heidi’s imagination. The woman’s story made little sense, but her
knowledge—however obtained—was worth millions. It couldn’t hurt
to humor her; perhaps a pearl of exceeding luster would drip from
the dear old lady’s mouth.
“Well, this is fascinating, really,” said Heidi, mustering reserves of
sincerity usually saved for meetings with associate producers. “What
might I be able to do for you?”
The other woman opened her purse and withdrew an envelope
and a small object resembling a lipstick.
“First of all, my dear, you should know that we shall not be
meeting again; all future transactions will take place through the mail.
If you agree to my terms, then you will receive items like this on a
regular basis.”
She handed the envelope to Heidi, who opened it and studied the
single sheet of paper it contained.
“Why, this is an entry form for the ‘Tangled TV Tunes’ game in
the Daily News!” she exclaimed. “And it’s already filled in.”
“That’s right, my dear.” Mrs. Lachesis deftly pulled the document
out of Heidi’s hands. “The winner will receive about $1,200. Not a
fortune, but typical of the prizes you’ll be getting. We want you to
keep working for us, and you certainly wouldn’t want to do so if you
were to become a millionaire overnight.”
“Working for you?” Heidi’s attention remained focused on the
contest form. She was certain it had to be postmarked by a certain
date and time; but what was it? “I already have a job.”
“Well, yes, of course you do, my dear,” beamed the woman. “And
that’s precisely why you have been selected. You spend a large part of
your time on movie sets, rubbing elbows with the stars and
witnessing the production of one film after another. My principals
want to obtain your insider’s view of the industry.”
“Me? I don’t get it, Mrs. uh—”
“Let me put it this way, Miss Holman: movie fan magazines and
tabloids are the biggest selling publications in the country. People
have an insatiable appetite for gossip and candid photos of
Hollywood personalities. They pay for the privilege of seeing and

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