University of Virginia Library

More Alive

"You know, I love this business,
with all its fringe benefits. People
talk about Hollywood being dead.
That's a crock of you-know-what.
Why, Hollywood is more alive
today than ever, it's just as alive
as...as...well, as my wife."

I got up to leave as he reached
for the phone. I looked around at
all the trappings in his office, the
pictures of every movie star from
Gloria Swanson to Huntz Hall, and
felt very uneasy. When he hung up
the phone, I noticed a strange,
frightened expression on his face. I
asked him if anything was wrong.

"My wife just died."