Ali McGrath was scared as she knocked on the door of Suite 1400 in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Her appointment was vital. It was her first tryout in years and she had to get the part. A few moments later the door was opened by a tall man. Good morning, she said, I’m Ali McGrath and I have a nine o’clock appointment with Mr. Clifford.
She looked at the man standing before her. He was six feet two with a full head of light brown hair graying at the temples. He was very trim and conservatively dressed in a gray suit with a blue button-down shirt and a striped tie. Ali was puzzled. Her appointment was to audition for a movie role and Clifford didn’t look like he was in the business. He looked like a New York businessman not a Hollywood film producer. She guessed his age as being early- to mid-forties.
When he held out his hand, she took it in a surprisingly firm grip. Hi, I’m Bill Clifford. I am delighted to meet you, Miss McGrath. Won’t you come in and sit down?
Ali McGrath was a tall girl — five feet eight — and had a beautiful figure. Now, however, she was very thin — too thin — and it showed. She prayed it didn’t show too much. She had golden blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes with very beautiful features. She followed him into the sitting room of his suite. This was her first visit to the Beverly Wilshire which was considered to be a bit staid by the Hollywood types, many of whom hung around the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Preceding him into the room, she took a seat on a side chair. He noticed she had passed up the sofa so he took the other side chair and sat facing her across the coffee table’s long axis. Bill noticed the girl was thin. He remembered some of the comments in her file lying on the coffee table between them that he had just reviewed.
Miss McGrath, I apologize. Things have been very hectic for me today and I never got around to eating breakfast. I would like to order from room service. Could I order something for you? Bill watched as a range of emotions quickly ran across her face. He noted that he would have completely missed her reaction if he hadn’t been watching for it carefully.
Hunger obviously won out. Thank you, Mr. Clifford. I would be happy to join you, she replied with a warm smile.
Bill went to the phone, dialed room service and ordered two large breakfasts of sirloin steak and eggs with hash browns and toast. With his back towards her he placed the order in a very low voice so she couldn’t overhear.
When he rejoined her and sat down, the two exchanged general pleasantries for a while and then Clifford turned to the reason for her visit. Miss McGrath, thank you very much for coming in to see me. Before I waste time going over what you may already know, perhaps you could tell me what you know about the part. Then I’ll fill you in on the rest.
She smiled again. He noted that her appearance was unchanged from when she had starring film roles in the 1970’s, except now she did look noticeably thinner. He looked at her carefully but still couldn’t decide whether she was wearing no makeup or if her makeup was so well done that it appeared she was not wearing any. Bill decided it didn’t really matter.
I really know nothing about the part, except that there is one, she said. Then smiling wryly, she added, Congratulations on finding me. I haven’t had an agent in years. Which raises another question: There are some things I won’t do. Perhaps I would have eaten more regularly if I had, but that’s the decision I made. I just want you to know so I don’t waste your time. What exactly is the part?
Bill started to answer when the doorbell rang. He opened the door for the room-service waiter who came in and quickly opened up his service trolley for use as a table. Then he brought over the two side chairs, set them up in facing positions and then held the chair for her as she gracefully seated herself.
The waiter stood back and said, Excuse me, ma’am, but aren’t you Ali McGrath?
She looked up at the waiter and smiled warmly. Bill was reminded how much he loved her smile. Yes, I am, and it’s very good of you to remember me.
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