Chapter Thirteen

JANET TURNS AUTHOR

Early the next morning Janet returned to the task of writing the story for Billy Fenstow's next picture. The story developed rapidly and she found plenty of opportunities to provide the hard-riding action for which Curt Newsom was famous.

She worked steadily until mid-forenoon when Helen joined her in the garden.

"How is it going?" she asked.

"It's lots of fun, and I think I have a fairly good idea. Whether I'm getting it across is another thing," smiled Janet. "I suspect the regular studio writers will think it pretty much a mess when they get their hands on it."

"I wouldn't care much what they think as long as Mr. Fenstow likes it. After all, he's the one who will accept or reject it and the check you get will depend on his approval."

Janet leaned back in her chair and gazed at the scudding white clouds far overhead.

"How much do you suppose they'll pay if they accept the story?" she mused.

"Sometimes they pay thousands of dollars," said Helen.

"But only for outstanding books or plays. I mean for little stories like this; the kind that perhaps have an idea in them that can be developed further by the studio staff."

"Maybe a thousand dollars," ventured Helen.

"That would be enough," said Janet, a faraway look in her eyes.

"Now just what do you mean by that?" Helen wanted to know.

"A thousand dollars would go a long ways toward guaranteeing me a college education. Why, with what I've saved out of our salaries this summer, I'd have nearly two thousand dollars and I could make that go a long ways toward four years of college."

"I've saved a lot this summer, too," admitted Helen. "Dad and mother were talking this morning. We're going back to Clarion."

Helen was silent for a moment. Then Janet spoke.

"When are you going back?"

"Soon; perhaps next week. But you and I will go on to New York to help with the radio promotion of 'Kings of the Air.'"

"Will you be happy in Clarion after a summer here?" asked Janet, watching her companion closely.

"I'm sure I will. After all, I'm a small town girl and all this amazes and scares me a little. Perhaps when college days are over I'll want to come back and try to make a name for myself in pictures. Dad thinks that would be wise."

"What school are you going to go to?" Janet asked the question with bated breath. They had always planned on going to their own state university, Corn Belt U., but she thought it possible that Helen's father might have expressed some other preference since their arrival on the coast.

"Corn Belt U.," replied Helen. "Dad left that entirely up to me and of course I wanted to follow out our plans."

Janet sighed heartily. She was elated at Helen's words for it meant that the pleasant companionship they had enjoyed through high school days could continue through college.

"We'll have lots of fun," said Helen, "but if we go on to Radio City for the promotion work we'll have to register late. Perhaps we can arrange for that while we're home. It isn't more than half a day's drive from home to school."

"I'm sure we can, especially if we explain that the trip to New York will enable us to earn more money for our college educations."

"But, Janet, you know we don't actually have to earn our way through school. Dad's got plenty and your father is comfortably fixed."

"I know it, but it's a matter of pride. I'd like to have as much of my own money as possible for college. If I got in a pinch, I'd yell for Dad's help, I suppose."

They talked on about college plans and were finally interrupted when Mrs. Thorne summoned them to lunch,

More plans for their return to Clarion were made at the luncheon table. Packing would have to be started soon.

"Let's pick out our college wardrobes here in Hollywood. Then we'll be sure and have the latest styles."

"Maybe Hollywood styles won't be campus styles," smiled Janet, "but I would like a chance to wear that wonderful gown Roddy made for me to a college party."

It was pleasant to think of their first experience in Hollywood when Roddy, the famous designer of gowns at the Ace studio, had created gorgeous evening gowns for them to wear at their first movie premiere. Janet could imagine that wearing such gowns at a party on the campus at Corn Belt U. would create quite a sensation, and she thrilled pleasantly at the thought.

After luncheon was over, Janet returned to her writing and Helen joined her beside the pool, stripping the wrapper off a copy of the _Clarion Times_, which had arrived on the noonday mail.

"Look at this; what nerve!" exclaimed Helen, shoving the front page of the paper at Janet. She pointed to a story in the center of the page.

Janet stared at the headline with unbelieving eyes.

"LOCAL GIRLS FEATURED IN MOVIE."

Her eyes followed down to the story, which heralded the fact that Cora Dean and Margie Blake, Clarion girls touring in the west, had been drafted for roles in a western picture by Billy Fenstow, the famous director. Janet read on.

"Miss Dean and Miss Blake report that Janet Hardy and Helen Thorne also have roles in the picture," the story said.

It was then that Janet flushed. She could have told Cora and Margie just what she thought of them if they had been anywhere within hearing distance but fortunately for them, perhaps, they were a good many miles away.

"How do you suppose the _Times_ got that story?" asked Janet, the flush fading from her cheeks.

"I know," said Helen with emphasis. "Cora wrote to Pete Benda, the city editor, and gave him all of the information which is in the story. Imagine her telling him 'that we are also in the picture.' I'm certainly going to see that 'Water Hole' is shown in the theaters at home. That will kind of spoil their story."

Janet laughed. "Perhaps Cora and Margie did feel that they had the major roles. You never can tell what others will think is important."

"It would be a joke on them if the film cutters left out the sequence they're in," chuckled Helen.

Janet looked at her quickly.

"Don't you suggest that to anyone," she warned.

"I won't," promised Helen.

Janet handed the paper back to her companion and went on with her work. She spent most of the afternoon at the typewriter and when she was through, felt that she had done a good day's work. The manuscript would be ready with only another morning's writing.

Billy Fenstow, dropping in after dinner for a visit with Helen's father inquired about the story and Janet handed him the first draft of as much as she had completed.

The little director read it with interest, the lines around his eyes gathering in little puckers as he skimmed through the typed pages. Janet almost held her breath through all the time he was reading and she saw Henry Thorne leaning forward, trying to read some reaction on Billy Fenstow's face.

When the director had finished, he looked up and smiled at Janet.

"Reads well," he commented. "Of course there are a lot of rough spots, but we'll be able to use it."