Free Sunset & Vine: Loose Lips by Per Hampton Page A

the first time,” he told a friend.
    “There I was, gliding through the doors of Headquarters’ as it was known in the movie.
    “‘Headquarters’ being the local Hollywood hangout for the up and coming artists of the movie, music, and literary circles. Based on that movie alone, I expected to walk in and see the joint full of starlets, writers, singers, and deal makers. I settled at the soda fountain with a Coke and hot dog. The only stunning beauty in the place was my mom. Let there be no doubt, had it not been for me and my siblings, she could have had Hollywood at her feet with a face like hers.
    “My “office” at Headquarters was a small booth situated in the corner at 2:00 high. It gave me the perfect 360 of the entire place. At mid-way in my career, I have been told that the looks are still there and I have no trouble holding my own with the young starlets, especially when they find out that I am a writer. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have a 6’ 165-pound lean swimmer’s build either.
    “Hey, life is about the angles, and I try to work everyone...including the William Holden look-alike with smart looking reading glasses.
    “Starlets love the mother and son shopping trip story and I never tire of telling it to their willing ears,” he shares with another writing buddy.
    “The rotation of characters at Schwab’s is where my fascination lies. There is a non stop supply of “gonnebees,” who’s gonna be somebody, followed by the constant re-supply of “couldabbeens,” as in “I could have been somebody.
    “It’s simply paradise for a writer,” he exclaims.
    “Just look at all the fluttering going on with these women this morning. All of this over one good looking stranger. They all behaved as if Zeus had walked in looking for a wife!”
    Michael was a bit curious himself about the guy in the bright Ferrari overalls. Was he a race car driver?
    “A new character for my work, for sure.”
    He figured he would eventually hear it all from Dotty anyway. Dotty ran a tight ship and knew just about everyone, and everything about everyone, that walked in the door, within 10 minutes. She was friendly that way. These regulars had become a sort of Breakfast Club with the occasional new face to stimulate things.
    Deeves started out as an actor. Not just any kind of actor, but a method actor! The kind who bring characters to life via experience. This was a mission that he took very seriously. He had left Hollywood for life experience in New York, Rome, London, and around the world, only to discover that it was all right here in Hollywood, along with perfect weather to boot. This town was one of the most powerful magnets in the world, the possibility of fame and fortune making it irresistible.
    As an actor who had had limited luck with stage, film, and TV, he needed to find a way for his characters to come to life when the acting agent wasn’t calling. Writing was the answer.
    “I had my office and an all-day supply of java from Dotty. No pressure to drink and leave as they had come to realize the value in having the place look filled with the artsy types.” Telling a friend.
    “How’s that Oscar winning screenplay coming?” was Dotty’s routine question once a week.
    “Just don’t you forget poor little ol’ Dotty when you hit the jackpot!”
    “I won’t...I promise. Your coffee is the fuel that has kept the engine going Dotty.” Laughing to himself at the thought of catching Dotty sneaking longing glances at Sam. She had no idea that he had walked past the window early one morning before opening and caught a peek of the two of them kissing in the kitchen.
    “Hey, whatever floats your boat,” he chuckled. Michael was a staunch believer in never “kissing and telling.”
    * * *
    Maria-Angela had interviewed four times for the household position with the movie icon, Mae Vaught. Ms. Vaught offered her the job after a chance meeting at Schwab’s during which Maria-Angela let slip that she secretly