The Last Don - Mario Puzo [57]
Loretta pecked Cross on the cheek but did not say anything to him. Indeed she showed none of her usual vivacity. She sat next to Claudia, who sensed Loretta’s tension.
Cross was in a golf outfit, white slacks, a white T-shirt, and white sneakers. He wore a blue baseball cap on his head. He offered drinks from the wet bar but they all refused. Then he said quietly, “Let’s get this business settled. Loretta?”
Her voice trembled. “Tolly wants to keep his percentage of everything I earn. That includes any movie work. But the L.A. agency naturally wants their full percentage of any movie work they get me. I can’t pay two percentages. And then Tolly wants to call the shots on anything I do. The L.A. people won’t stand for that and neither will I.”
Nevans shrugged. “We have a contract. We just want her to live up to that contract.”
Loretta said, “But then my film agent won’t sign me up.”
Cross said, “It seems simple to me. Loretta, you just buy your way out of the contract.”
Nevans said, “Loretta is a great performer, she makes a lot of money for us. We’ve always promoted her, we always believed in her talent. We’ve invested a lot of money. We can’t just let her go now when she’s paying off.”
Cross said, “Loretta, buy him out.”
Loretta almost wailed, “I can’t pay two percentages. It’s too cruel.”
Claudia tried to control the smile on her face. But Cross did not. Nevans looked hurt.
Finally Cross said, “Claudia, go get your golf gear. I want you to shoot nine holes with me. I’ll meet you downstairs at the Cashier’s cage when I’m finished here.”
Claudia had wondered at Cross being dressed for the meeting in such a cavalier way. As if he were not taking it seriously. It had offended her and she knew it offended Loretta. But it had reassured Tolly. The man had not proposed any compromise. So Claudia said to Cross, “I’ll stick around, I want to see Solomon at work.”
Cross could never get angry at his sister. He laughed and she smiled back at him. Then Cross turned to Nevans. “I see you’re not bending. And I think you’re right. How about a percentage of her movie earnings for one year? But you have to relinquish control or it won’t work.”
Loretta burst in angrily, “I’m not giving him that.”
Nevans said, “And that’s not what I want. The percentage is okay but what if we have a great booking for you and you’re tied up in a movie? We lose money.”
Cross sighed and said almost sadly, “Tolly, I want you to let this girl out of her contract. It is a request. Our hotel does a lot of business with you. Do me a favor.”
For the first time Nevans seemed alarmed. He said in almost a pleading tone, “I’d love to do you this favor, Cross, but I have to check with my partners at the Agency.” He paused for a moment. “Maybe I can arrange a buyout.”
“No,” Cross said. “I’m asking a favor. No buyout. And I want your answer now so I can go out and enjoy my golf game.” He paused. “Just say yes or no.”
Claudia was shocked by this abruptness. Cross was not threatening or intimidating as far as she could see. In fact he seemed to be giving up the whole affair, as if he had lost interest. But Claudia could see that Nevans was shaken.
What Nevans replied was surprising. “But that’s unfair,” he said. He shot a reproachful glance at Loretta, she lowered her eyes.
Cross pulled his baseball cap sideways in a swaggering manner. “It’s just a request,” he said. “You can refuse me. It’s up to you.”
“No, no,” Nevans said. “I just didn’t know you felt so strongly, that you were such good friends.”
Suddenly Claudia saw an amazing change in her brother. Cross leaned over and gave Tolly Nevans a half hug of affection. His smile warmed his face. That bastard is handsome, she thought. And then Cross said in a voice full of gratitude, “Tolly, I won’t forget this. Look, you have carte blanche here at the Xanadu for any new talent you want to showcase, third billing at the least. I’ll even arrange to have a special night at