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These stories take place in an alternate universe in what corresponds to Earth's mid-1950's. They involve women who resemble our own Hollywood stars. Contains nudity, lesbianism and violence. Incidents not based on real events
are fictional.
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MITZI IN HOLLYWOOD: Chapter #13: Franks Birthday
Party - by Kim and Ginny
Frank was throwing himself a gala birthday party
with a band, singers and fights to entertain his high-rolling
customers, supporters and financial backers. He made a big deal
about the fights which held more than the usual interest. These
paired women who were rivals outside the ring as well as in. He
also brought in some new girls who were eager to "try out"
for a job. Girls often quit, either because their career took
off or they quit show business altogether. Whatever their reasons,
there were always others eager to replace them. This year's party
had a special treat, veteran screen actress Joanne Dru was making
a comeback at age 32, hoping the attention might revive her fading
career.
After Nikki's stunning defection to Gretchen, Frank
asked Mitzi's friend and mentor, Ethel Merman to take over as
Mitzi's manager. Ethel declined because of a Broadway commitment
but asked Cyd Charisse if she'd manage Mitzi for her. Cyd asked
for time to consider the matter and promised Ethel her answer
at Frank's party. Ethel and Mitzi shared a taxi to the party with
Ethel's date, a young brunette. "Say hi to Mitzi," Ethel
had said when they met. The woman smiled and offered her hand,
"I'm Jacqueline Susann." Mitzi asked Jackie what she
did and she replied, "I'm Between jobs right now, but Ethel,
er, I mean Miss Merman, is gonna help me get work writing. I wanna
be a novelist." "That's good," Mitzi smiled, "An
influential patroness helps when you're starting out. I wish you
luck. I'll be looking for something from you soon," Mitzi
sighed as she eyed the deep valley of the doll's cleavage.
Ethel gave Mitzi the latest 'Fighting Girl Gazette'
and had her read Brenda Starr's article about her break-up with
Nikki. She was relieved Brenda the promise she'd made at The Mission.
The article reported rumors about a fight and of Mitzi being beaten
by Shirley MacLaine, but then dismissed it as "idle gossip,
wishful thinking or maybe even hype for a fight between them which
may be announced at Frank's birthday party." Starr noted
gleefully that if the rumors were true, the outcome of the purported
fight confirmed her prediction Shirley would beat Mitzi when they
fought. One rumor making the rounds, she said, was that the fight
had been unfair and Mitzi wanted revenge in the ring. A smaller
story said Nikki had quit Mitzi to join Gretchen's entourage.
It quoted a "reliable source" saying the break-up was
for "personal reasons" which was shorthand for a sexual
problem.
The feature article was about the new women joining
the league. Mitzi said, "There's a couple of 'starlets' I
don't even know. Lori Nelson and Diana Delaire. Hey, here's a
surprise, Joanne Dru! I thought she was already a star?"
Ethel shook her head sadly, "She was in the 1940's but lately
she can't get good roles . . . when she works at all. She fought
before, you know, back with Shelley Winters, Cyd Charisse, Ava
Gardner and that crowd. They're hoping she'll get noticed by the
studios again. I hope it works, she's a nice girl." When
Mitzi read the fourth name she gulped. "Oh no! Sheree North
and Jayne Mansfield? How'd that happen?"
Jacqueline Susann smiled at Mitzi. "Jayne Mansfield?
She's a top contender isn't she? Does that mean if Sheree beats
her, she'll be one too? I thought you just beat Sheree North last
month? Why aren't you fighting instead of her?" "That's
what I'd like to know," Mitzi fumed. Ethel put her hand on
Mitzi's thigh. "Calm down hon. First, you aren't ready for
Mansfield. Second, I asked Frank the same thing."
Mitzi glared at her. Despite that things seemed to
be getting back to normal, she was still upset at Ethel for asking
Cyd Charisse to be her trainer and coach without discussing it
with her. Their first session would be on Monday and Mitzi couldn't
wait to show Cyd what she could do in the ring. Ethel saw the
look and wagged a finger in a silent warning for her to behave.
"He said," Ethel sighed, wishing she didn't have to
explain everything she did to her willful charge, "he did
it to shut Sheree up about wanting a rematch with you. She dropped
her demands in exchange for a match where she'd get a lot of notice
from the studio bigwigs. Besides, it's a natural. Mansfield and
North are being touted as 'The Next Marilyn Monroe' so it fits
Frank's theme for tonight."
The cab stopped in front of the arena and Jacqueline
got out first, turned and offered her hand to Ethel, keeping her
back to the cameramen snapping 'celebrity photos.' She didn't
want to be seen wearing the mans suit and fedora Ethel dressed
her in. Her dark hair was pulled back and tucked inside the hat
but she needn't have worried. No one paid attention to her, snapping
a few pictures of Ethel, then turning all their attention to Mitzi.
Jacqueline kept her back to the photographers, tugged the hat
over her face to hide her femininity, took Ethel's arm and led
her away.
The newsmen went crazy when Mitzi stepped out and
gave them their first look at her form-hugging gold sequined dress.
It was slit up the leg to the hip and her short hair was pulled
off her face to give them a good shot so she would be recognizable.
But it was the plunging neckline that drew their attention. As
she ducked to exit the taxi, her big breasts nearly fell out and
she flashed her famous 1000 watt smile as flashbulbs popped. She
made no effort to cover herself, she was justifiably proud she
didn't need a bra to support her firm breasts and she wanted everyone
to know it. Besides, the pictures would give valuable publicity
to the struggling young dancer/actress. The back of the gown plunged
all the way to her ass, showing a new and different cleavage.
Mitzi followed a distance behind Ethel, making sure to give the
photographers plenty of room to line up a shot that she hoped
would appear in the morning edition of the Los Angeles paper.
Inside, Mitzi was struck by the changes in the arena
for the party. The ring was pushed back to make room for tables
arranged in concentric arcs. The focal point was the ring where
a 6-piece combo and a pair of singers were warming up. At ringside
was a long table with a white table cloth and 12 place settings.
Smaller tables for 4-6 people were scattered about. Mitzi squealed
with delight as she gave her wrap to the check girl set up by
the door.
"Don't you ever wait for anyone, Ethel?"
Jackie laughed as they stood and waited for Mitzi to catch up
with them. "It's her own fault," Ethel laughed, "She's
falling out of that dress front and back. You look ridiculous,
Mitzi. I should have insisted you wear something a little more
professional so you'd at least look like a fighter, not a sleazy
sex symbol." Mitzi grinned and said, "But dahlink, I
AM a sex symbol, you've got to accept that. Just because you're
going to manage me to a championship, it doesn't make me any less
a sex symbol and movie star. My public expects this," she
said as she slowly ran her hands down the front of her gown and
posed provocatively. Ethel bit her tongue and didn't respond to
Mitzi's taunt about, "turning her into a champion fighter"
although that was her intention. Unless Cyd Charisse did something
to wake Mitzi up, she feared the blonde would never take her fighting
seriously enough to become champion.
Lately, Mitzi had thrown it up to her at every opportunity.
Ethel couldn't understand why Mitzi bothered to fight at all if
she wouldn't take it seriously. She'd decided if Mitzi didn't
improve within a week, she'd resign as her manager. Ethel owed
Frank a lot of favors from her fighting days, but she knew Cyd
wouldn't put up with Mitzi's "spoiled brat" routine
any more than she would. Cyd would quit the first week if Mitzi
didn't behave with her any more than she had so far. Ethel asked
Cyd to give her a week and if she didn't see any improvement,
that would be it. So far, living at the Mission, Mitzi had shown
more interest in getting massages from Adelaide, her "masseuse,"
than in fighting. Cyd was going to have her hands full training
Mitzi and keeping her away from Adelaide's talented fingers.
The three of them got drinks from the bar and looked
for their table. They had name cards showing who reserved them
with the most important ones in front near the head table. This
"inner circle" was executives from the movie industry,
Frank's regulars. The "second circle" was for wealthy
patrons and major movie stars plus top fighters from previous
eras. The "outer circle" was made up of the league's
real power brokers, the fighters and their business and fight
managers. It was strange to see them so far from Frank, but they
didn't seem to mind being out of the limelight. Mitzi knew that
deals would be signed tonight far from the glare of the ring lights.
Three women managed most of the fighters and, like
Gretchen, they were all former fighters. Marge Danzer managed
the current champion, Rita Moreno, Debbie Reynolds, Julie Newmar
and Juliet Prowse. Doris Sheppard had three top contenders, Jayne
Mansfield, Mamie van Doren and Kim Novak. Gretchen Curry was the
newest of the "big 3" and had only Shirley MacLaine
and Debra Paget under contract so far. She also managed Bettie
Page in her lone fight, losing to Mitzi in a huge upset. Mitzi
was one of a few "independents" and by far the best
known. So far, she'd resisted the lure of signing with one of
the managers, preferring to let her girlfriend Nikki Spade handle
her affairs before her defection to Gretchen. Other girls, like
some of those fighting tonight, were part-timers or newcomers.
If they showed promise, they'd be wooed by a manager and a good
manager was crucial to get the "right" fights and the
exposure needed to become a star.
Thanks to Ethel's influence, they were seated in
the "second circle" where they could watch the comings
and goings at the head table. Mitzi had been sky high since beating
Bettie Page until her run-in with Shirley in the restaurant. She
wanted Ethel to get her several fights right away, as soon after
the boxing match with Shirley MacLaine as she could. Nikki had
signed that contract the night she left her and, in a way, the
boxing match had come to symbolize her betrayal in Mitzi's mind.
"Some producers saw me against Bettie,"
she gushed, "They're interested in me. I'm this close to
a big break, I can feel it.. If I get it, maybe I'll quit fighting,
but the truth is I like it." Ethel and Cyd had already talked
about it, however, and agreed not to commit Mitzi to more fights
until they saw her against Shirley. "I'll get you fights,"
Ethel said, "but with someone you can beat, or at least have
a good chance of beating. Besides, it'll let Cyd have a chance
to get to know you. We're guiding your career now, be patient.
You're young, there's plenty of time to become a star."
Just then, someone slapped Mitzi's ass and she jumped.
"Yikes! Dammit, what the...." Her face clouded with
anger and her eyes flashing fire when she turned and looked into
the pixie face of Shirley MacLaine. "You should put a girdle
around that. I could see it jiggle clear across the room when
you came bouncing in. You'll hurt your back if you aren't careful.
Speaking of your back," she said as she pulled Mitzi's dress
away from the small of her back, then peeked down inside to check
out her ass. "Ummm, healing nicely. Won't be any scars, good."
Mitzi wanted to slap her, but Ethel held her arm and kept her
from swinging.
"You'll have plenty of chances to hit Shirley
when you box her" she hissed. "Frank'd be livid if you
ruined his birthday party with a fight." Shirley watched
them and then chuckled. "Ironic isn't it? A fight promoter
who doesn't want fights. Of course, his piece of the betting action
only comes from fights *inside* the ring."
Mitzi knew how vindictive Frank was when someone
crossed him and restrained herself - barely. "Look, you bottle
redhead, I'm not takin' any guff from you," Mitzi snapped
at Shirley, her voice dripping venom. "You were lucky last
time. If you try anything tonight, nothing will save you."
Shirley laughed, "I'm so afraid! You got no idea how I'm
lookin' forward to getting you in the ring." Ethel glared
at Mitzi, a silent warning to hold her famous temper in check.
Mitzi had told Ethel how Shirley goaded her into making a rash
attack in the restaurant and she'd promised not fall into that
trap again. Shirley saw Mitzi was backing down, so she smiled
and gave Mitzi's bottom a love pat. "I know you got off on
what I did for you - just like your girlfriend did. . . oh, sorry,
your EX-girlfriend. She was really wound up when we got home that
night. You shoulda been there to see it, she couldn't hold still."
Mitzi's face turned scarlet and she reared back to
slap Shirley for her taunt. Ethel held her under control until
they heard Gretchen's voice say, "Mitzi, you little tiger.
My goodness. Are you going to put on another show for my little
slavegirl?" She turned and saw the big redhead standing behind
Ethel. At her side was a forlorn looking Nikki. "Nikki!"
Mitzi gasped as she tried to embrace her former lover. She stopped
short, however, when she saw the collar and leash. "That
Bitch!" Mitzi hissed, "What's she doing to you?"
Nikki blushed, but Gretchen snapped the leash and, as if commanding
a recalcitrant puppy, ordered her to, "Speak!" Nikki
humbly lowered her eyes as she said in a low and meek tone, "Don't
worry about me Mitzi. I'm alright. This is where I belong. Miss
Gretchen's being good to me. I'm happy with her, so please, don't
be angry."
"Head back," Gretchen ordered as she jerked
the leash. Mitzi stared open-mouthed in shock and Shirley giggled
as Nikki, her face flushed with embarrassment, obediently tilted
her head back. Gretchen bent and crushed her lips to Nikki's.
"Open wide. Let's give `em a show." Nikki hesitated,
but Gretchen grabbed her cheeks and squeezed until Nikki's mouth
popped open. Gretchen covered her mouth with a long, hot kiss,
her tongue swabbing the back of the blonde's throat. Nikki trembled
when Gretchen broke the "kiss" and gave her breast a
hard squeeze as a "reward."
Mitzi lunged at Gretchen, but was stopped by Shirley's
hands around her waist as she pulled her back. Mitzi felt the
redhead's breasts burning into her bare back as Shirley whispered
in her ear, "Why don't you join us after the party, my dear.
We'll go to Gretchen's and party all night. I'll warm your backside
again and make you cum even more than before. Who knows, maybe
Gretchen'll let Nikki play with you if you behave yourself."
She laughed as Mitzi trembled and her entire body turned bright
red at the reminder of her past debasement. Quickly, Ethel pulled
Mitzi away from her tormentor. Mitzi looked over her shoulder
and she saw tears in Nikki's eyes. "Those damn dykes!"
Mitzi hissed as she struggled against Ethel's firm grip, "They
shouldn't let them in our business."
"If they kept all the "dykes" as you
call them, out of Hollywood," Ethel laughed, "there
wouldn't be many movies getting made and there'd damn sure be
few fighters. Look around." She made a sweep with her arm
around the room, pointing out one actress after another who was
dancing, sitting or chatting with another woman. Of the nearly
50 actresses, a closer look showed that three quarters of them
were with other women who were dressed or otherwise appeared "manly,"
even those wearing dresses. It was an epidemic!
Ethel led Mitzi back to their table and turned her
over to Jackie. "Keep her away from that bunch and see she
behaves herself. I gotta pay my respects to Frank before he thinks
I'm snubbing him." She walked over to find Frank as Mitzi
downed her drink and then Jackie's. "I'm gonna get a refill,
you want one?" They headed for the bar together as Ethel
stopped to chat with a producer about one of his new projects.
As she and Mitzi circled the room, Jacqueline Susann
was awed by all the stars, "There's every fem star in Hollywood
here." Mitzi nodded, "Yep, they all know Frank. Most
fought for him or somebody like him and they wanna keep on his
good side since he's mob connected, or so they say. Besides, most
of 'em love the fighting. A few old timers still do it to settle
scores or show some young starlet she ain't as hot as she thinks
she is. Some 'retired' ones do 'private matches.' They make good
money and a lot of roles are still won and lost that way even
though it's the 'modern 1950's.' A lotta famous actresses careers
began and ended like that. You'd be amazed if I told you some
names."
Most of Franks closest friends were there; Dean Martin,
Jerry Lewis, Joey bishop and even Sammy Davis Jr. who ran a fight
league for Black women. Stars like Lana Turner and Joan Crawford
who weren't known as fighters were there as were other "stars"
who were far more renown for their fighting skills than their
acting ones. One stopped them and told Mitzi she'd heard about,
"your fight at a dyke dive." She laughed as she warned
her, "You better stay outta those places. That's a tough
crowd for a society girl like you." Then she patted Mitzi's
ass and let her hand linger a moment. "You're too soft. We
don't want you injured until Shirley gets her hands on you."
In one corner, Doris Day and Ann Miller had their
heads together, chatting and laughing. A year ago they'd tried
to kill each other in the ring after which Ann retired and underwent
months of rehabilitation. Doris was now "semi-retired"
but Mitzi heard she still did "privates" when the money
(or the prize offered) interested her. Doris won several of her
best roles in fights and rumors of her abusing opponents had surfaced
frequently although they were quickly and quietly squelched by
her studio's publicity department. Mitzi had never been in the
ring with Doris but she saw her fight Ann Miller and saw how she
loved to dominate. Tonight however, Doris and Ann were enjoying
their "legend" status, though it was clear Ann was deferential
and respectful to the blonde Amazon who'd nearly crippled her
a year earlier.
Suddenly, Jacqueline gasped. "Oh, look! It's
Ava Gardner! God, she's more beautiful in person than on the screen."
Mitzi nodded. "I read she just flew in from Spain yesterday
for the party. They're supposed to be separated. She moved out
but didn't want to end it." Jackie's eyes sparkled as she
asked, "Does she fight?" Mitzi looked around, pulled
Jackie close and whispered, "Well, I heard from a girl at
the studio that Frank brought girls home from the studio to fight
her. She was pretty mean to them but I can't blame her. If the
other girl won, Ava had to watch Frank 'reward' her in their own
bed."
"Ohhh. Can I meet her?" Jackie gushed like
a star-struck fan. "I'm sure you can," Mitzi laughed.
"Just don't expect too much. She's still the same simple
country girl who came here years ago. Her sophistication's pretty
much a creation of the studio. Ethel knows her, get her to introduce
you." Mitzi laughed at Jackie, quivering like a schoolgirl
at the sight of actors and actresses she'd seen only in magazines
or on the screen. Mitzi thought she was being silly, but then
she saw them every day in the studio, the ring or the gym. Even
so, "big stars" like Ava, Doris, Jane Russell, Susan
Hayward and the rest still set her heart racing. It *was* funny,
but she'd admired them since she was a teenager and being in the
same room with them was a bit heady even for her.
They were at the drink line when Mitzi said, "I
see an old friend. You go ahead, I'll catch up." She walked
over to Mary Martin who was in a whispered conversation with Vera-Ellen.
They were eyeing Mitzi as they chatted. Vera-Ellen was a dancer
who had a long-running feud with Mitzi since they usually were
up for the same parts. As excited as Jacqueline was over Ava Gardner,
Mitzi felt the same way about Mary Martin, a Broadway legend.
She joined their group and during a break in the chat, introduced
herself. Mary smiled at Mitzi while Vera glared icily, her feelings
clear.
Martin said she was in town to talk to MGM about
a movie of her Broadway hit, "South Pacific." "That'd
be fun," Mitzi said. "I really like what you did with
the role of Nellie. I'd love to play her in the movie." "You?"
Mary guffawed. "You ain't got the talent in your whole body
I got in one finger." She extended her middle finger and
shoved it in Mitzi's face. "I was doin' Broadway when you
was in diapers, kiddo. You just stick to your fightin' `cause
I heard, Bettie Page was the only one you ever beat. Hell, they
so much as *think* of even testing you, I'll demand we fight for
it. I'd love whipping this soft ass." She slapped Mitzi's
bottom for emphasis as she said, "this."
As Mitzi arched her body in response to Mary's spank,
Vera-Ellen poked her in the stomach hard enough to make her bend
forward and nearly fall out the top of her dress. "Her ass
isn't the only soft spot Mary. Looks like what little success
she's had is gone to her tummy too. Hell, just last night Shirley
MacLaine and me were talking 'bout it." Looking Mitzi in
the eye, she added, "After you box Shirley, I doubt there'll
be much left. Last time you two tangled you were laid up a week
with welts all over that big round bottom. Leastwise, that's what
I heard." She looked Mitzi over as if searching for signs
of the struggle. Mitzi blushed. She could only imagine what Shirley
said about her. Mary Martin chuckled, "If your acting isn't
any better than that stomping around you call 'dancing' you won't
be playing South Pacific that's sure." Mitzi was stung by
the insult to her dancing from a woman she admired. After all
the other stress of the evening it was too much. Without thinking,
she hauled off and slapped Mary's face.
"If you wanna fight," Mitzi sneered, "I'll
high kick your old ass into retirement." Mary pushed her
face in Mitzi's. "Nobody slaps me, bitch! South Pacific?
Ha! You're washed up honey. I heard your studio's ready to dump
you! As for fighting, you better not lose any more fights. You
got no fans. Everyone's laughing at you behind your back. Your
career's over and you don't know it." Mitzi's face flushed
and her fingers curled into fists. She stuck out her chest, "Come
on old woman, back up your words . . . if you can."
Mitzi was 20 years younger than Mary and Vera wasn't
about to let her date face Mitzi alone. She stepped between them
and put her hand on Mitzi's chest, moving her back. "You
really think so? Hell, even at her age," Vera said as Mary
maneuvered behind the distracted Mitzi, "She's woman enough
to kick your chubby butt up between your shoulders." Mitzi
shoved Vera and looked back at Mary, "Oh yeah, well I may
just high kick *your* butt too Vera. You been asking for it for
a long time. Your overdue."
As soon as Mitzi looked at Mary, Vera hiked up her
dress and as Mitzi turned back toward her, kicked left foot up.
The short, hard 'snap kick' hit the soft tissue between Mitzi's
right breast and shoulder. She yelped in pain and staggered. "You
aren't the only one who can kick," Vera laughed as Mitzi
tried to keep her balance. Mary grabbed Mitzi from behind, grabbing
both arms by the elbows, pulling them back and driving her hip
into Mitzi's bottom. "Surprise!"
"Start kicking," Mary laughed. "She
ain't going nowhere." Vera drove her foot upward again, this
time driving a high heel deep into Mitzi's belly. The air went
out of her with a whoosh as Mary struggled to hold her up when
her knees buckled. "Heehee," Vera laughed as she used
her fist to flatten Mitzi's right breast with a punch. She hit
her again as Mitzi whimpered and struggled weakly in Mary's tight
grip. With both arms pulled back, Mitzi's soft body was arched
upward, completely exposed and open to Vera's cruel attack.
Before she could escape, Mitzi had to get Vera to
stop long enough for her to deal with Mary. She got her feet under
her, straightened and used Mary for support as she kicked her
right foot up toward Vera's face. Vera had expected it, however,
and stepped aside as the leg came up. She caught Mitzi's ankle
and held her foot shoulder high. Mitzi winced as her hamstring
was stretched painfully. Mary leaned back, pulling Mitzi's abdomen
taut so Vera could hit down on her belly. Mitzi grunted as the
crowd which had gathered started to applauded in time with the
rhythm of Vera's fists beating her belly like a drum.
Vera held Mitzi's leg twisted to the side as she
stepped back and drew back her leg, eyeing Mitzi's groin. "You
want to feel a 'high kick' really hurt? Close your eyes hon, you
don't want to watch this." Just as her foot started up between
Mitzi's thighs, Vera was grabbed from behind and tossed to the
floor. She landed hard, her head bouncing off the hardwood floor
as her feet flew into the air, then dropped to the floor. Cyd
Charisse stepped over Vera's body in front of Mitzi who was doubled
over with Mary's arms wrapped around hers from behind. Mitzi's
big breasts were almost out of the low-cut dress and one or two
more punches or jiggles would surely have exposed them completely.
"OK Mary," Cyd said, "the fun's over.
Letter go." Her tone was flat, emotionless, but there was
no mistaking her seriousness. Mary released Mitzi's arms and stepped
back. Mitzi went to her knees, looking up sheepishly at Cyd. "Get
up and fix your clothes," Cyd said as she offered Mitzi
her hand. Mitzi pushed her breasts back down in her gown as Cyd
shook her head sadly. "Now I see why Ethel said she needs
me. Can't you learn to keep out of trouble? First that business
in the restaurant, now this." Mitzi opened her mouth to make
a smart-aleck reply but shut it quickly when Frank the promoter
appeared through the crowd.
"What the Hell is going on?" he bellowed.
He glared at Mitzi, then Cyd and finally at Vera who was trying
to get up. Mary rubbed her cheek, "That bitch slapped me
Frankie. She's a troublemaking tramp!" Vera chimed in, "Yeah,
that Hungarian bitch started it, Frank. I was just trying to keep
her from starting a fight with Mary." "Dammit Mitzi,"
Frank said, "That's twice tonight you made trouble and it's
not even nine yet." She tried to protest, but he cut her
off abruptly. "Don't lie! I saw you with Nikki, Gretchen
and poor Shirley. Now you're into it with Vera and Mary."
He helped Vera to her feet as Mary tried not to bust out laughing.
"I told everyone," Frank continued, "No fighting
at this party."
Debra Paget was clinging to Frank's arm, beaming
proudly as everyone looked away from Mitzi toward the popular
crooner who was also their promoter. Everyone fawned over him,
wishing him 'Happy Birthday' and Debra was right there in the
middle of it. He was in his glory! It was one reason he promoted
the fights, it gave him unfettered access to a bevy of eager-to-please
young starlets and soon-to-be-over-the-hill aging stars anxious
to keep their fading careers afloat a little longer. Rumors of
Mob financing kept people from opposing his decisions involving
the league and he ran as capriciously as he dared.
Vera stuck her tongue out at Mitzi as she postured
provocatively and told Frank, "Ya better get a new #1 contender
Frank. This one makes ya look bad." Frank gritted his teeth,
but wondered if she might not be right. "Gee," Debra
chirped happily, "I guess now that yur such a star Mitzi,
you forgot about the rematch you promised me. If she's gettin'
to be a problem, hon, I'll take her place. You said I'd have her
after Shirley knocks her out anyway. Everyone knows she will.
Why wait?"
Frank laughed as he eyed Mitzi in her tight dress.
"Debra wants to beat you Mitzi, to get revenge for that paddling
you gave her in your first fight. You keep screwin' up, I may
do it. Winner stays to fight again, loser gets fired." Debra
clapped her hands happily, "Yeah Mitzi. Frank's gonna give
me a chance to make a comeback. Someone, 'easy' for my next fight.
You're perfect." Debra knew Frank gave her access to rich,
powerful studio moguls and she'd do 'anything' to further her
career. "But Frank . . . ," Mitzi protested, but he
just turned around and walked away with Debra still slavishly
wrapped around his arm.
Once he was out of earshot, Vera laughed. "Ohhhhh,
look out Mitzi. Now Paget wants to string you up and whip that
fat bottom. Pretty soon, girls'll have to take numbers to fight
you." Mitzi blushed and started to reply, but before she
could, Cyd dragged her away. "That's right Mitzi," Vera
called after her as she hugged Mary, "run off with a new
girlfriend before Debra comes back and spanks your bottom in front
of everyone. Try to hang on to this one so she don't run off like
the other one."
Mitzi struggled against Cyd's grip, trying to pull
away to get at Vera. Cyd hissed, "Don't be stupid. You already
got Frank mad. He'd love an excuse to dump you and give Debra
your place. Don't you ever learn?"
"But," Mitzi moaned, "Vera's says'
I'm afraid of that Debra bitch and she's shootin' off her mouth
about my personal life. I can't let her do that."
Cyd shook her head and continued to drag Mitzi back
to her table. "Listen, you gotta stop getting yourself into
these situations. People are startin' to talk. Anything that embarrasses
you just helps your opponent. They love to gossip about your personal
peccadillo's, especially when you end up hanging in some lez bar
like a side of ham. Frank hates a girl to show weakness. It's
bad enough when you lose, but when you get embarrassed, he loses
interest fast. The sooner you learn that, the sooner you'll be
able to stay out of his doghouse . . . unless you like having
him looking over your shoulder and threatening to kick you out
in every match. Look, you gotta lotta raw talent. If you develop
it properly, you can be real good, a champion maybe."
Mitzi bristled. "Whadda ya mean, 'develop it'?
I'm the No. 1 contender in case you don't know!" Cyd smiled.
"You're immature, spoiled, willful. You don't listen and
don't follow orders. Give me a minute and I'll probably find a
few more faults. You got potential, no denying that. I was talking
to Frank and told him I'm not sure you're worth my time and trouble.
You haven't been coached or managed worth a damn or you'd have
progressed even faster. Managing's more than scheduling fights
and picking wardrobe - which I take it is all Nikki did."
Mitzi harrumphed, "Hah! Nikki hadn't the vaguest
idea what to do. She'd dress me and yell at me for eating too
much. She didn't even let me order dinner without interfering.
I originally hired her as a body guard, but she did everything
EXCEPT guard it. I mean she just stood there in that restaurant
while Shirley . . . " She shuddered and then she suddenly
grabbed Cyd and hugged her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be blathering
about Nikki now that Ethel's hired you. To be fair, Nikki hired
Rhonda. She was a good coach. You heard of her?"
"I know Rhonda. Damn good stunt woman in her
day. I know she's teaching now but she's sure not the best coach
you could have. She dropped out of sight a while ago didn't she?
What happened?" Mitzi shrugged. "I don't know, one day
I went to the gym and she wasn't there. No one knows where she
went or when she'll be back. Nikki blames her disappearing for
me getting fat, but I think Nikki wasn't doing her job. She's
supposed to take care of me, or I should say, she *was* supposed
to take care. I guess that's up to you and Adelaide now."
"I appreciate all your help," Mitzi said,
"even if I don't show it. They were almost at the table when
they heard a raspy voice, "You ended up on your sweet ass
again, didn't you Mitzi. I thought we were gonna break you of
that habit." Mitzi looked up and saw Ethel Merman grinning
at her. She was sitting between Paulette Goddard and Jackie with
her arms draped over each woman. Her hands dropped on their breasts.
She was rubbing Jackie's but Paulette blushed and pushed the hand
away when she caught Mitzi staring. Jackie didn't move or even
show the slightest unease. In fact, she looked proud to be with
a major star like Ethel. Paulette Goddard eyed Mitzi coolly. "This
is a party, dear, not a bar room. You wanna brawl, do it in the
alley with the rest of the cats."
"Leave her alone Paulie," Ethel croaked.
"Mary started it. Hell, I didn't even have to hear what she
said to know that. Right Mitz?" Mitzi grinned, "That's
right Miss Merman," and gave an ever-so-slight curtsey. Ethel
guffawed. "See you ain't forgot how behave my dear."
She waved Mitzi and Cyd to join them at the table. "Come
on, join us. I was telling Paulette 'bout your run-in with Shirley."
Mitzi blushed and sat quickly, squeezing her thighs together as
she felt a chill at the mention of her humiliation. "Everybody
in town must know about that by now. I don't know why I thought
I could keep it a secret." "Don't worry hon," Ethel
said. "The studio publicity department won't let it get out.
They're very protective of their stars."
"I hope so," Mitzi said, "I'd die
if anyone back home found out about that. Just them knowing I
was in a place like that could scandalize them. I hope I'm a big
enough star for them to do that for me." Paulette Goddard
laughed. "I doubt it, hon. But Shirley MacLaine is going
places. They wouldn't want *her* reputation ruined. Then there's
Gretchen to consider. She's got a lotta clout in this town. Between
her ex-lovers, ex-fighters and all the folks she's blackmailing
she can make them dance to her tune. At least, that's what I heard."
Cyd was nervously looking around the room behind
her. "Relax Cyd," said Ethel. "Doris' already said
'hi.' She won't be back, at least not for a while." Cyd blushed
and shook her head, "That's not it. I was looking for friends.
If you promise you won't let Mitzi out of your sight, I'll leave
you for a while. I saw Tony Bennett over there and I wanna say
hello, I'm a huge fan of his."
After Cyd excused herself Ethel, Jackie, Paulette and Mitzi chatted until Frank went up to the microphone to announce the fights would start in a few minutes. "Fill up your glasses, get your chairs arranged and get comfortable. I have a real treat for you with these fights tonight. They'll be really ring-a-ding-dingers."