“Yes, but remember that we’re lucky. We didn’t have to break down any barriers; we didn’t have to make introductions. The way was all smoothed out for us. Look at those poor kids over at the casting office.”
Helen turned in the direction Janet pointed. Half a hundred young men and women were waiting patiently in a line before the window of the casting office. Most of them were rejected; only one or two were allowed inside.
“That’s what happens to the average seeker of fame in the films,” said Janet. “So many, with some beauty and high hopes, come out here expecting to make a success, and then almost starve. Of course they get a bit once in a while, but it’s hardly enough to buy their food much less their clothes and all of the other necessary things.”
“You’re right, of course,” admitted Helen. “If it hadn’t been for Dad we’d never have had a look-in.”
They were having lunch that noon at the studio restaurant with Helen’s father. They were waiting when he arrived. Accompanying him was a stranger.
“Girls, I want you to meet Mr. Rexler, general manager of the company.”
The general manager, tall, thin and exceedingly nervous, greeted them cordially, then seemed to forget that they even existed for he talked business from the moment they reached their table until lunch was over. But in spite of that Janet and Helen enjoyed the hour. Some of the most famous stars on the Ace lot were lunching there that noon and Janet and Helen enjoyed watching them come in.
The general manager, a man of quick thought and action, suddenly turned toward them.
“I saw ‘Broad Valley’ the other night. Congratulations on a nice bit of work.”
The hour passed quickly, with Helen’s father and the general manager continuing their conference in the executive’s private office in the administration building.