Behind the Page

By Devin Avery

A historical novella set in 1950's Hollywood. Two best friends and screenwriters struggle to navigate success, failure and friendship againthe backdrop of the HUAC committee. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Devin Avery
• Release date: May 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227071330

Book preview

Musso and Frank’s

Enchanting is the allure of Hollywood, Tinseltown, a world floating on egos of questionable substance and creative genius. People live, lust, and yearn for any taste of stardom, but this comes at some price. You will only know the exact cost or its impact once you arrive at a juncture where you decide to prevail morally or economically.

Let’s start where this story begins: that one night at Musso and Franks amidst the hazy smoke of Hollywood in 1952. Easy browns and deep burgundies deliver the illusion of sophistication at the point of obscurity. Unless you were in Musso’s, you couldn’t be.

Ron and Mary Harrison remained unsure about their presence in Musso’s that night. They were guests of Louis and Abigail Brand, and no matter the case, Ron felt as if he were defrauding something.

Ron was a professional, not when it came to self-masochism. To berate himself for personal follies was his honored tradition. Mary, with her girl next door sophistication, gave him a pass. He fit in because of her and her alone; Mary always stole a room. Hopefully, someday, he’ll come to realize that. 

However, Louis saw the world differently. He may not have felt he belonged there himself, but he made an effort to try. Ron and Mary watched pleasantly as Louis engaged a studio executive, Mr. Young, owner of a crisp suit and smile unnerving to any good-natured person.

How is the second act coming? We have marketing planning the campaign as we speak, Young questioned.

Swimmingly, I only see a heap of problems, Louis grinned, keeping Young uneasy a bit longer.

Young got the hint a moment later and excused his grasp on the table. He went to the bar where Orson Welles sat, gorging on various items that crossed his path, whether by purpose or not.

I am sorry, Mary, Ron. Louis loved apologizing for this. To be sorry for success, creating stories, and being handsomely paid. Ron always wondered how he could even sit down to write anymore. He imagined Louis planting himself in front of a mirror to gaze at his brilliance; too bad a piece of paper isn’t much to look at.

Stop it, Louis. There are certain duties we must honor, Mary answered, unsure if she believed her own words. She was brought up politely, with taste, which would remain.

How did the meeting with MGM turn out?

We’ve put another one on the books.

They’ll give you a shot, Ron. Just wait.

I need a job, not a shot, Ron critiqued as Mary soothed his boiling temper with a calm hand atop his thigh. Mary will always believe Ron is much more than Louis in most things, but especially in his skills of the letter.

Ron looked at her and smiled. Her chestnut skin and lush auburn pomp hair made his day seem worthwhile. Their devotion was admirable in a town such as Los Angeles.

Ron and Louis had been friends for years, coming from the same town, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and writing for their school newspaper. They knew every iota, no secrets, but Louis began his torment as Ron’s career continued to buoy. Whether knowingly or not, he still was adding to the gap between their friendships. For both, though, the problem was that they didn’t notice that the gap would be a lesson in importance.

The meal was paid, the check split and all four were gathered at the valet stand at Ron's insistence. Louis’ new, glossy black Cadillac screamed up the way—a twenty-dollar tip.

Ron tightly squeezed Mary’s hand, embarrassed at the truth he couldn’t afford to give such a tip.