LAST TANGO IN PARIS
PG 15
Josef heard the news immediately as it was announced by the Paris UP desk. Funny, smart, sexy Maria Schneider was dead at 58.
The phone rang but he knew who it would be. Even being with Beth, the two friends still seemed to know simultaneously so many things these days.
He hit speaker on the exclusively designed smartphone with its ultraspecial aps, "Mick, nostalgic already? She's not even cold yet."
The rich, warm baritone voice that answered held a faint tinge of emotion. "She chose to stay human, and live out her life, Josef."
There was a pause. "As did Marlon, more's the pity. He would have made a great vampire. And he wouldn't have gotten so fat."
"She called me a year ago. You knew?"
"Yes, she sought your number out through a mutual friend after being told of the cancer. Did she finally ask to be turned, Mick?"
"She knew I would never agree. I wouldn't then and she never asked."
"Funny, how she never once considered it when that's all Brando could think about. Should he or shouldn't he?"
"He was an actor. Hell, he invented Method acting! They never could make up their minds, constantly improvising. It's in their inherent nature."
Josef grinned. "Brando's DNA broke the mold. Still, I could have taken them both, if you hadn't stopped me."
"And have an international incident? Hell, if I hadn't stepped in, that whole French and Italian film crew - from Bertolucci on down - would have been decimated. As it was, you lost a bundle as executive producer but at least the negative press was kept to a minimum."
"Yeah, except for that NC-17 from the Ratings Board. Who knew they could be that prudish about sex?"
Both got quiet. No doubt remembering Maria, Marlon and all the early 70's drug and alcohol-fueled sex.
Josef broke their reveries. "She was something, Mick. Does Beth know?"
"Yes."
"About your refusal to turn them?"
"No."
"You and your scruples."
Mick scoffed. "I don't see you turning anyone lately ."
Josef grimaced. "Not since Sarah. And we all know how well that one turned out."
"So? Marlon went on do The Godfather II and lots of other good work. The world benefited more from his being alive."
"Mick St. John, the Oscars salute you. But Maria, she never had fame after that one movie. Still, I made sure she kept on getting parts and was able to make a living."
"Who knew, Josef Kostan - all this time looking out for the humans. You were the real Godfather."
Mick hears a muffled noise and then Josef's voice returns. Only now it's like something has been stuffed into his mouth and he sounds like Brando's Don Corleone: "I made them an offer ... one they couldn't refuse."
Mick agrees. "I know, Josef, I miss the 70's, too."