Chapter one: The awakening
In the black and white world, it played like a silent comedy. Buster Keaton in his normal attire arrives via horse-drawn caravan in front of his sweetheart's apartment building. His raven-haired sweetheart suddenly pops out the window and is calling out. Title card: HELP! the sweetheart is snatched by some perpetrator. Buster hastily erects a tall ladder from the caravan and takes a vase from the back. He climbs to the window and tosses the vase at the bad guy, knocking him out. With the door locked, Buster signals her to climb down with him. but some kid on the bike tips the ladder away from the window. Buster slides down back to the caravan. The sweetheart shouts to him Title Card: Hold on I have an idea! The sweetheart takes a nightgown from her drawer, sews it and uses it as a parachute to land on the caravan beside Buster and they ride off. Buster talks to the sweetheart; Title Card: so, where to? The sweetheart points to the sign on their way [PARSON'S OFFICE 5 MILES]. Buster nods in agreement and then the couple kiss and embrace each other and then, the kiss gets very passionate as they hold each other tighter.
Immediately, the ringing occurred. Gail Anders rose from her bed. She dreamt of Buster Keaton again. The dreams happened for a bit while. It was a typical leading lady but this time but to her, it seems a bit racy at the end. Gail on the other hand thought that no woman would wear a short frock while descending with a parachute. Considering that she had admired Keaton's films nevertheless for Keaton. Better leave it as a dream.
Gail had moved to Los Angeles in the summer of 1923. She had saved a lot of income from working on the Family Horse ranch between school hours. However, it wasn't enough to rent a pleasant place for herself. Thanks to her dancing training and her stage expertise back in Nevada, she held a job as a chorus girl and an extra on stage productions. And she later stayed with a fellow Chorusgirl, Sally Evers, and her Aunt. Overall, in six months Gail enjoyed entertaining Los Angeles.
One afternoon, the chorus girls lined up, rehearsing for the dance sequence in the Venice club. The man in suspenders rose from his chair and clapped after they were finished.
"Alright you dames did plenty of jobs" he declares, "Time for your break!".
As the chorus girls retired to their dressing room, took off their shoes, and raced to the trough of cold water to dip their worn feet in.
"Woo! Boy, my dogs were barking!" Sally commented as she massaged her wet foot.
"you could say that again" Gail, examining her ankles. "I needed this" the sensation of her aching feet set in the cold water relaxes her.
The man comes in. "for your hard work, you all get an hour off just to relax!"
Sally uttered "thank god" as they got to rest. Later, one of the chorus girls, Beatrice quipped 'Can we go out to the boardwalk? We could go for some fresh air and sunlight" the others clamored in agreement.
The man said, "very well, make sure to get back in time!"
The ladies had no time to change out and into their practice garments, so they just wore them under their dresses, and they put on their comfortable socks and shoes. Gail brought along her white frilly parasol because she avoids tanning her skin. Soon enough the women are out strolling on the boardwalk. Another chorus girl, Rita pointed to the sign advertising the psychic.
"Hey, let's check out there!" The others peered at her in reluctance. "I don't know Rita, they are nonsense" Beatrice, pointed out. Rita objected "Before I was born, A fortune-teller told my mother she will be blessed with a healthy little girl. That happened to be me."
The group was almost convinced so they decided to go in anyway just to examine. They went into the dimly lit room with walls filled with artifacts. One of the girls, Minnie, got spooked over the shrunken heads on display. A middle-aged heavyset woman appeared through the satin curtains.
"Welcome" uttered in a European accent "are any of you here to seek me?" Rita raised her hand "I'll be happy to. Tell me what'll happen." The head wrapped woman pointed to the jar "that'll be 4.25". and then gestured her to sit upon the round table.
The fortune-teller commanded Rita. "Give me your palm". She does so. The woman took her time to examine the hand.
After a minute, the teller looked up. "I see a reunion with a bracelet." Rita reacted in confusion "My heirloom? But I lost it weeks ago." The teller assures her "it will appear if you see a canine" Rita nodded "Thank you".
Sally whispered to the chorus girl next to her, "this broad is not making any sense" Minnie retorted, "who's going to fall for that rubbish?". Gail had her hand up "can you read mine too?" The two dames gave her a surprised look.
The teller questioned her"What is it you seek miss?" Rita left the table to make space for Gail. "Well, I wanted to be in the moving pictures for a while but I'm worried the studio will never pick me". She places the fee in a jar then presents her palm. Upon inspecting the hand, the Fortune Teller delivered her the news.
"I see you on the silver screen." Gail felt relieved "But wait. I see another vision." she widened her eyes "what is it? "it is you committing a fascinating act of sin. It will cost you your innocence" Gail quivered as she asked the woman "is it murder?" the woman shook her head. "I said it was fascinating." she then grinned "That is something you have dreamed of. That will be all"
Though intrigued by the last vision, The group all exited the building, having had enough of the so-called act. Rita waved goodbye to the teller. Everyone sat down for a little sun bath. Sally placed her hand on Gail's shoulder to comfort her. "You don't believe in that stuff do you?"
Gail concealed herself on her beloved parasol. "I can't see myself committing sin, my family would be very ashamed of me."
Sally held her closer "Bae, you don't need a fortune teller to decide your fate, it's yours to decide."
Beatrice came to Gail "if you want to be in pictures. Why didn't you say so" she rested her hands onto her hips "I am planning to quit the act to join the Sennett's bathing beauties after the show is done. They are no longer scandalous compared to the last decade. Gloria Swanson started as one of them." She suggested to Gail "How about if you can join too. you have at least some acting experience and that pair of legs."
I don't know. If my grandmother sees me with my knees exposed, she'll have a heart attack!
Minnie, another Chorus girl, had another idea. "Have you tried out for extras? The studios could always use them.""I have, but having to go to every studio for a part at dawn is not possible"
Beatrice gave her eye contact. "Listen Gail, If you ever change your mind, Call me"
Later that week, Gail and Sally are on their way to the clothing store to acquire new stockings when they notice a wide crowd gathered on the street. Gail went and asked a stranger
"what's going on?" the man tipped his hat upon seeing them "oh there's a film shooting." she responded "Really, here?"
"Certainly. I bet it's a comedy because Buster is there." Gail looked wide-eyed and Sally inquired what they were talking about. "Keaton or Collier?" The man replied "Keaton of course! See it for yourself." he pointed at the silent film comedian at work.
Gail passes out in realization that Buster Keaton is on the set and then Sally is bringing her back to consciousness. "What happened?" Sally helped her get on her feet "You fainted after seeing you know who."
Gail blushed in embarrassment. "Did anybody notice?" Sally helped brush off the dirt off her friend's outer clothes. "Just the people in the back." Gail got to catch another glance of Buster working. She was so mesmerized at sight that she almost forgot about the shopping trip.
In truth Gail really liked Buster greatly. she'd rather leave it as a fantasy.
I hope you liked chapter one! It might be a while before the next one.