The Life of Oddley - Episode 14

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE - "Hollywood Oddley", Part Two

Welcome to another edition of "The Life of Oddley".  Things are humming along here with the story and let me tell you, I think that the change is episode length is helping to seeing how far I can take stories before Oddley moves on to the next tale.

Now, back to the story.  Last week, we opened our fourth serial with Oddley standing in the ocean after completing his long trip from Chicago.  Once out of the ocean, Oddley and Rita use their method of gaining a room and spent a night at the seashore.

Once morning arrived, Oddley and Rita headed out for a time on the town.  However, Oddley decided to conduct a secret search for his friend Ogden, who had stated he was in Los Angeles.  After a shopping spree, the two took in the Chinese Theater, complete with a moment at the square housing the prints of Rita Hayworth, who turns out to be Rita's namesake and idol.

Soon after that, Rita found herself called for an audition from a man named Ogleman they meet on the street.  Oddley's joy at this is short-lived as he finds himself being knocked down by a car crossing the street.  Luckily, the car turns out to belong to Ogden, bringing a reunion of the two after many weeks apart.  Needing a new place, Ogden leads our travelers to the Hotshot Hotel on Melrose.

The three then spend the rest of the day catching up on things, including Oddley filling in on his activities after Ogden's departure and before being run down by a car in Los Angeles.  As night falls, the trio are trying to enjoy themselves as Oddley suffers a brush with the future famous and the present famous, Ogden running off with the future famous, and Rita drinking herself into a stupor...

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The next day, Saturday, began for me at the sunrise. I was sound asleep until 8:00 am, with dreams of Raquel Welsh on my mind. I was running with her in a field of flowers, in slow motion. What a dream! That fantasy ended as I felt the hands of Rita, prying me out of my sleep and into the waking world.

"Wake up, Oddley!" she was saying as I came to.

"I'm coming to." I told her, opening up my eyes.

"Today's a big day for you and me." she said as I sat up on the couch, which had been my bed.

"What?" I asked.

"My audition." she said.

"Rita, don't get too much in this. Last night, you were about ready to throw it away." I said, getting off the couch.

"Why not?" she asked me.

"Because I don't know if you will ever succeed in getting the job. One always has to think of all outcomes." I said.

"That's typical you, Oddley. You always bring in the dark side of things on a happy day." she said.

"That's how I ended up being hit by Ogden's car. By the way, where is my friend?" I said.

"He's still not here." she said.

"You bet. If I know him as well as I do, he woke up this morning with that Susan Raye." I said.

"Don't get too mad at him for doing it." she said.

"I'm not. I just know him and that's his way." I said.

"You'll find him." she said.

"I just wonder where Susan's room is, so I can go get him in person." I said.

"Let him have his moment in the sun." she said.

"And where is that?" I asked.

"Leave it alone." she replied.

"How long have you been up?" I asked her

"Two hours." she replied.

"Then what's with the delay in awakening me?" I asked.

"I just lost track of time." she said.

"I'll have to accept that, for it's the only reason you'd be up for two hours without waking me." I said.

"I'm more than what you think I am." she said.

"So you say." I said.

"Stop that now." she said.

"Get ready for the audition today." I told Rita.

"Good idea." she said, moving away.

As she did, she was holding her head a little. That told me that she had a hangover. That was the last thing I needed from her today. My mind had a million things on it and I still was thinking when the two of us made it down to the lobby.

I was still thinking about all of this when I exited the elevator. As we stepped away I felt hunger pains within my stomach. My mind had forgotten about breakfast in the rush to get ready for Rita's audition.

"Rita, I think it's time for breakfast. Any good places to get some?" I said.

"I don't know any good place." he said.

"Hello, Oddley." said the voice of Ogden from the lobby.

"Hello, Ogden. Where have you been?" I said to him.

"I've spent a funfilled night with Susan." he said.

"Was she any good?" I asked.

"She had a good body, and a good time." he said.

"Listen, I happened to be in need of food, so let's cut this whole thing short." I said.

"I know a great place, and it's close. If you like, I can take you out to eat." he said.

"Count on me." I said as he lead Rita and me out of the lobby.

"Ready for some breakfast?" asked Ogden.

"I am, my friend." I said.

"Then follow me." he said.

I was more than happy to. Ogden led us to this place a few blocks from the hotel. It was a nice-looking diner, about a decade behind the outside world, but the smells I could get up my nose drew me in.

"Here we are, the best place to eat." said Ogden as we walked in.

"I know that." I told him.

"Here's a table." he said, pointing to one right beside the door.

"Shotgun." I said, sliding into the booth.

"I hope you like it here." he said.

"Me, too." I said.

"Ditto." said Rita.

"Welcome to Chuck's Diner. I'm your waitress today. Would you like some menus?" said the waitress, pulling up to our table.

"Yes, we would." I told her.

"Here they are." said the waitress, handling them to us.

"We'll let you know when we're ready to order." I said to the waitress.

"I can't wait." the waitress with an air of sarcasm as she left us.

"I wonder what dishes they have." I said.

"I know what to order." said Ogden.

"And what is that?" I asked.

"Chuck's Breakfast Special number three." he replied.

"What does it have?" I said.

"It has two eggs, a side of ham and sausage, a stack of pancakes, and hash browns." he said.

"Then I'll have one, too." I said.

"The same for me." said Rita.

"We're getting to see eye to eye." she said.

"I know that." I said.

Our meals soon arrived and we ate them. We managed to stay silence as I walked her out of the diner. Our plans for the day, beyond the audition, were still unclear, but we walked in the direction of downtown, hoping for an answer.

"That was a nice breakfast." I said to Rita.

"It was." she said with a happy sigh.

"If only every breakfast could be so good." said Ogden.

"Say, why don't we go shopping?" said Rita.

"Shopping? What on earth for?" I asked.

"For an outfit for the audition." she said.

"Remember, my funds are limited." I said.

"I've got $3,000 in my pocket right now." said Ogden.

"Where were you when I needed help against Newshaw?" I said.

"An nice lady gave it to me the third night I was in L.A. Said it was payment for a night well done." he said.

"Ogden, I never thought you'd sale it for cash." I told him.

"We met at the Hotshot Club. Had a few drinks. We got together and she gave me $4,000 as a gesture of thanks." he said.

"You said she gave you $3,000. Don't tell me you spent $1,000 in a week and a half." I said.

"That I did. I had to paid for the room." he said.

"That's right. I guess we can spend a couple hundred more, finding the right outfit for Rita's audition." I said.

"Follow me, boys." said Rita with a wry smile.

Rita lead us to this nice clothing store several blocks from the hotel. I think she must have spotted it when Ogden took us to the Hotshot. It was a nice place, if you have the money to spend there, and thanks to Ogden's lust, we did.

"Rita, now don't go too far." I told her as we entered.

"It's not that big of a store." she said.

"I mean with money." I said.

"I'll be careful. I know how to shop on a budget." she said.

"That's nice to know." I said as Rita headed further into the store.

"Off she goes." said Ogden as we took seats near the front.

"You know, the first day we were here, me and Rita went shopping." I said.

"I was wondering where you got that suit." he said.

"The two of us had a good time shopping for new outfits. We then went down to the Chinese Theater... " I said before a thought struck me.

"What's wrong?" asked Ogden.

"I just remembered. We left our car at the Chinese Theater yesterday." I said.

"You did?" he said.

"I didn't mean to, but your run-in with me wiped it out of my mind." I said.

"Don't blame me for your bad memory." he said.

"I'm not, but it does make it easy on me." I said.

"Are you gonna tell Rita?" he asked.

"No. It's best she forget about that car." I said.

"What else have you left behind?" he then asked.

"I told you that yesterday. A housewife and a snake bit victim in Tulsa." I said.

"I wonder if Brooke has resumed her trip." he said.

"Probably not. I'm responsible for the break-up of a marriage." I said.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"If Roy hadn't come after us, we could have fixed the tire and continued our trip. Instead, I lead Brooke to stay at his bedside. She'll probably start an affair with him when he recovers." I said.

"You don't know that." said Ogden.

"She's one thousand miles from her husband. Trust me, it'll happen." I said.

"Get your mind off that trip and focus on Rita's audition today." he said.

"If you say so." I said.

"Tell me, is this Gilda better at my job than I am?" he then asked.

"I wouldn't really know. Most of the time we've worked together, I was fixated on my debt problem with Newshaw." I said.

"Just at a glance." he said.

"Ogden, do you want your old job back?" I asked him.

"Is that farmer still hanging around the store?" he asked me.

"I haven't seen him since you took off. I think he's hunting for you." I said.

"Maybe I should head back to Chicago, if he's left." he said.

"Well, you'd be safe for a while until he came back." I said.

"What if he does?" he asked.

"Not for a long time. You'd still be safe." I said.

"How long is that long time?" he said.

"Ogden, let us change the subject again." I said.

Me and Ogden sat there for an hour, not speaking. Apparently, we had run out of subjects after our reunion. Anyway, the silence was broken by the return of Rita, all ready to go.

"Hello, guys." she said to us as she arrived.

"Did you do your shopping?" I asked.

"I did. I'm just going pay for these." she said, pointing to a pile of clothes in her arms.

"Give her the price, Ogden." I told him.

"How much?" he asked, getting out his wallet.

"About $75." she said.

"That much?" I said as Ogden handed her the money.

"I told you. I know how to shop on a budget." she said, taking it.

"Well, make sure it stays that way." I said as she ran off.

"I wonder what Rita got for $75?" I said.

"We'll find out in due time." I said.

Back at the hotel room, Rita was dressing in the bathroom as me and Ogden paced outside. We were waiting in silent curiosity over what Rita was wearing to the audition.

"Come on, Rita." I said.

"In a minute." came the answer from behind the bathroom door.

"She sure is taking her time." said Ogden.

"Like all women do." I said.

"Here I am." said Rita as she came out of the bathroom.

"Let us see it." I said.

I then noticed that Rita was wearing an brightly-colored outfit. A green dress, with yellow skirt, red sleeves, her old brown fringe vest, and the same sunglasses she got yesterday.

"Like my new outfit?" asked Rita.

"Yes. I liked it when it ended the broadcasting day." I said.

"It's her outfit for the audition." said Ogden.

"Rita, you're trying to win a film role, not blind people." I told him.

"This looks great." said Rita.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." I said.

"Lay off, Oddley." he said.

"Let him have his moment. I've learned that he's a nice person at heart." she said.

"And that's after four days of friendship." I said.

"I've had twenty years." he said.

"You'll catch up someday." I said.

"Say, let's grab some lunch before the audition." she said.

"Good idea." I said.

It was at 1:00 pm that the three of us made it to the famous front gates of Paramount Pictures. Those twin gates looked wonderful in the California sun as we walked up. As we reached the gate, I saw the studio guard meet us halfway.

He was your typical guard, about 40-ish, with his brown uniform and hat. He reminded me of the cop back in Oklahoma but this guy was different. He had actual authority over who got in and who didn't.

"Hold it there." he said with a slight lisp.

"Yes, sir?" I said.

"Are you three supposed to go inside?" asked the guard.

"Look under Rita Louise." I told him.

He then took a look at his clip board, with the names of those who can get into the studio. He scanned with his finger until he stopped more than halfway down.

"'Rita Louise' That's what it says." he said.

"That's this girl right here. She's here for a screen test." I said.

"And you two are with her?" he asked.

"That we are." said Ogden.

"You may enter, but be careful." he said, letting us pass.

There we were, walking into Paramount Studios. As we walked through the lot, I saw the various films and television shows being made, with cast and crew wondering around freely. I was very lucky to get to walk there. Of course, we were there for Rita's audition.

"I can't believe I'm here." I said.

"Believe it, Oddley." said Ogden.

"I wonder if we'll meet anyone famous." I said.

"Probably not, but this is a busy lot." he said.

"Maybe we'll even meet Rita Hayworth." said Rita.

"I don't think she's working here today." I said.

"I can dream, can't I?" she said.

We managed to find the building that Ogleman had written on the back of his card. It was a small building near the place where Paramount and Desilu bordered each other. It looked very old but it had people going in and out, so we went in.

We ended up in the upstairs of the building. We eventually found ourselves in a room, filled with women, also auditioning for the same role. I kept my worries to myself but I could tell from Rita's face that she had the same ones.

"Look at all these women." said Rita.

"I'm looking." said Ogden.

"Ogden, you don't have time to get all their phone numbers. Besides, some of them might be married." I said.

"That never stopped me." said Ogden.

"Let's just take a seat and wait for them to call Rita's name." I said.

"Gladly." said Rita.

We did fine three unoccupied seats and we took them. As I looked around the room, I saw the Hollywood hopefuls, all waiting for their turn. I then moved my eyes to the seat next to me. On my right was Rita. I then noticed the girl on my left.

She was a blonde, best I could tell. I saw some dark roots, but I let it go. I saw that she was applying lipstick onto her nice lips with the help of a compact. She was dressed in a similar outfit to Rita, except no vest, and she was wearing those capri pants.

"Hello there." I said without question.

She turned in my direction and our eyes locked. Let me tell you, I felt something then.

"Hello there, yourself." she said to me.

"I'm Oddley Mitchell." I told her.

"My name's Loretta." she said.

"Loretta what? Your parents had to have a last name." I said.

"Loretta Swit." she said.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Swit. Are you here for the audition?" I said.

"I am. I've just spent some time in a touring company, and now, I'm trying to get into films." she said.

"I'm here with Rita over here. She's also auditioning." I said.

"I hope she doesn't win." she said.

"We all want what we can't have." I said.

"You're a riot." she said.

"Say, where are you from?" I asked her.

"Passaic, New Jersey." she said.

"I'm from Chicago, Illinois myself. I work there as a supermarket employee." I said.

"A honest man, making an honest living." she said.

"Just the honest living. Honesty is not always my policy." I said.

"Is this your first time in Los Angeles?" she then asked.

"First time ever." I told her.

"I just moved here from Passaic, myself." she said.

"Tell me about Passiac." I said.

"It's not as big as Chicago but it's a big city to me." she said.

"You can say the same thing about Los Angeles." I said.

"It's been home to me for a few months now." she said.

"I've only been here three days now. It's still pretty big to me." I said.

"The same here." she said.

"No matter what, I always manage to get around." I said.

"Really?" she asked.

"I have always have found my way, wherever I am. I come from a large repository of knowledge I have in my brain." I said.

"How much do you know?" she then asked me.

"You wouldn't believe everything I know. It comes from years of experience and just living the life I got." I said.

"Do tell." she said with her hands supporting her chin.

I don't know what possessed me to tell Loretta my life-story, the short version, but I did. I told her about my parents, how my father came home from Korea in a pine box, and how I got my job at Easy-Mart.

"What a life you've had." she said.

"I've managed to live through it all." I said.

"My life doesn't compare." she said.

"Few people do, compared to me." I said.

"Don't think yourself high and mighty." she said.

"I always end up humble." I said.

I then saw Ogleman comes out of a door. It lead to another office. Besides was an interesting-looking fellow. He looked like he was over 40, with a comb-over and wearing a white button shirt and brown pants.

"I see that you're here, Ms. Louise, and you brought friends." said Ogleman as he spotted us.

"Remember me? I'm Oddley. I'm now her manager." I said.

"And I'm Ogden Hamilton." said Ogden.

"He's my associate." I said.

"We're ready for the auditon." said the man standing next to him.

"This is Harold, he's the director of the picture we're casting." said Ogleman.

"Hello, Harold." I said.

"Is the star ready?" asked Harold.

"She is." I said.

"Then let's do the audition." said Harold.

"Ms. Swit, you'll be next after this one." said Ogleman.

I saw Rita and those two walk into the other office. Me and Ogden stayed in the outer office. That, to me, meant more time with Loretta, with who I was getting to know better.

"So, I can see you're next after Rita." I said.

"If you say so." she said.

"That Ogleman told you that you would." I said.

"I heard him. I was just playing with you." she said.

"You'll be a star one of these days. After all, you can certainly put one on me." I said.

"You sound like that doesn't happen often." she said.

"It doesn't. I've ruined more surprise parties that you can guess." I said.

"I can imagine. You are an interesting person to me." she said.

"Just wait and see. There's more to me than meets the eye." I said.

Rita must have been in there for a while, for I had enough time to really chat up Loretta. My best guess would be that 20 minutes past before Rita emerged from the other office with Ogleman.

"I hope we can get in touch with you later." said Ogleman as they were walking out.

"You can reach Rita at the Hotshot Hotel." I said.

"I'll make sure you get a message if your audition results in a film role." said Ogleman.

"Okay, sir." said Rita.

"Ms. Swit, you're next." said Ogleman.

"I must go inside." said Loretta.

"And I must leave this place." I said.

"Will I ever meet you again?" she asked me.

"I'll see you tonight in the Hotshot Club for a drink." I told her.

"Where is that?" she asked, getting out of her seat.

"It's at this place called the Hotshot Hotel, over on Melrose." I said.

"I'll be there with bells on." she said, heading into the other office.

"Oddley, are you all right?" asked Ogden.

"Ogden, I'm in love." I said.

As we walked out of that building, I thought about the audition. How it was done and how they had done it. I wondered if Rita's road to success was even paved. Then again, no major studio gives two dunces a place to audition naive beauties to films never made.

That night, I met Loretta for a round of drinks at the Hotshot Club. It was a Saturday night, after all, and it was time to drink the week away. Loretta had a nice whiskey sour and I joined her in that regard. It was a nice drink, made even nicer by her being there.

Loretta hung on my every word, like my every word is worth remembering. It was my life story I was telling, not the latest novel. I've always felt that she grew attached to me because of her loneliness.

I was giving her the basics of my trip out to California, about Brooke, about Tulsa, Roy, and the snake. I also told her about Rita and our two consecative hotel stays without a personal violation.

"That's amazing." she told me.

"It's true. I've actually slept in the same bed with a woman I consider a friend and not a sex object." I said.

"You must be modest." she said.

"To a point. My flower was picked long ago. I just water it once in a while to make sure I can face myself in the mirror." I said.

"You'll make a girl a very happy wife one day." she said.

"All I have to do is find the right girl." I said.

"Maybe you have already." she said.

"Where?" I asked.

"In front of you." she said.

"I guess you could count." I said.

She then did something I'll never forget. She gave me a kiss on the lips from across the table. She must have wanted to do that for a while and I just let her. Let me tell you, I was beside myself.

"I think Rita's audition went alright." I said to her.

"That's nice to know." she said.

"I just have a few... feelings about all of this." I said.

"Like what?" she asked.

"Like is this a real audition? I mean, these two could be casting nothing." I said.

"You went to a major studio for the test. It must be real." she said.

"The script she read from was for one of those beach party movies. I mean, staring in one of those films is not a good way to get a career off the ground." I said.

"Rita's a good person. She'll defy the odds." she said.

"You haven't really met her yet." I said.

"But you haven't stop talking about her." she said.

"I do tend to do that." I said.

"You care a lot about people. I mean, that's one reason I like you." she said.

"Are you the same way?" I asked.

"Stick with him, and you'll find out." she said.

"I'll see if I can." I said to her.

I knew that I wouldn't be able to. I had to get back to Chicago. At the same time, however, Loretta was doing something to me and my heart. It had been only a few hours since I had first seen her but I knew then that I was in love.

Midnight came and I decided the two of us should part for now. As we walked out of the club, Loretta put her head on my shoulder. It was a nice feeling to have as we walked over to and out of the big front doors.

"I guess this is where we part." she said, taking her head off my shoulder.

"As it must, less not we do otherwise." I said.

"You're so deep." she said, staring to walk away from me.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I said.

"I'll count the seconds." she said.

I was very happy. On top of the world. I actually made myself a girlfriend in California and her name was Loretta Swit. I kept repeating her name to get used to the sound. As I headed back inside, my thoughts were 110% of her.

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Once again, the cliffhanger is a bit weak, but it does make you wonder what'll happen next week.  As you know, there's only one way to find out, by coming back next time and reading the results.  That's the only way to learn in a serial.
 
Next week, Oddley finds himself in love's tender bonds, while Rita learns if her audition will either lead to fame and fortune, or a one-way ticket back home.  A episode of thrills, to be certain.
 
That's on Saturday, November 12th, at 3:30 pm, right here on the John Maxwell Blog.
 
Until then, this is John Maxwell, saying that there are better ways of breaking into show business that this...