Page 12 - Just Deserts

The Decimator

was Sandor Landsman’s favorite editor over at Leviathan Pictures. I
did about ten films in a row for him.”
“Really? That is a remarkable achievement! As I mentioned
to you on the phone, the museum is collecting material for a
major retrospective exhibition on the unheralded artisans who
really made the stars and directors look good, but who never
received adequate credit. It’s tentatively titled, ‘Hollywood
Guilds in the Golden Age.’ Right now I’m visiting as many of
the significant figures of that era as I can locate, in order to
interview them and examine their memorabilia. If you can spare
it, I’d love to spend some time with you going over your career.”
Jenkins glanced around the room, as if in search of projects
urgently requiring his attention. His gaze finally came to rest on the
appealing face of Miss Palazzio. “I, ah, don’t see why not. Now,
what you see here isn’t everything I’ve got. There’s a lot of stuff out
in the garage: old publicity stills, original theater posters, even a few
cans of film—outtakes I salvaged for my own amusement, as it were.
If you like, we can take a look through that, too.”
Her bright red lips spread into a grin. “That’s great, Mr. Jenkins!
Just the sort of thing I love to do. Of course, if the museum decides
to borrow or purchase any of your collection, I can assure you that it
will be handled with the greatest care, and restored or conserved
using the most modern methods. One segment of the show needs
additional material, I can tell you that right now: how film editors
actually work. Some of that footage from the cutting-room floor may
be of help to me. And any photographs of you on the job, of course.
Or other documents or old editing equipment you may have kept—I
can’t tell what will be of value until I see it, you understand that.”
“Certainly, certainly I do. I welcome the opportunity to
contribute to your exhibition. Anything I can do, anything at all, just
ask!” He had become increasingly animated, most notably following
her utterance of ‘purchase.’ Together they walked through the
dilapidated house to a door in the kitchen giving access to the dank
and musty attached garage.

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