Reign, p.19
Reign, page 19
"You've never heard of reversion to type? A good-looking man, not at all old, rich and famous with the reputation of being a ladies' man? How long do you think he can stay faithful, Marvella? I mean, I've noticed the way he's looked at me from time to time, and —"
"All right now, you stop coming up with these soap opera plots and you get your mind back on your work, girl. You just forget about Dennis and your ma, and you especially forget about Dennis and you. There's gonna be no funny business in this theatre, believe you me . . .”
~ * ~
Robin was sure that Dennis and Ann were having an affair when, in the middle of a Friday afternoon two weeks before Christmas, she returned from the office to the Hamilton suite and heard voices coming from the bedroom. One of the speakers, she was sure, was Dennis, while the other, though she heard the voice only in brief snatches, was a woman.
"Dennis?" she called. The voices stopped, and she said again, "Dennis?" There was a shh, then quick whispers, and Robin thought she heard the woman (the woman? Ann Deems, god damn her!) giggle. That did it. She would not be laughed at. To be cheated on was bad enough, but to be laughed at was intolerable. She rushed to the bedroom door, flung it open, and stepped inside, ready to explode, to tear the woman apart, to wipe from her face forever the smirk that her laughter made all too clear.
But the bedroom was empty. That was the one thing Robin did not expect. She was prepared for nudity, for sexual gymnastics, for the most pornographic and blatant evidence of her husband's infidelity, but she was not prepared for negation, for an utter denial of what she had known to be the truth.
Or was it a denial after all? The room appeared to be empty, but the bedclothes were so disturbed that even the bottom sheet had come off to expose the mattress cover beneath. There was a trace of perfume in the air, Ann's perfume, mixed with the scent of naked bodies, the musky smell of rutting. And the bathroom door, usually open, was closed.
She was astonished at their audacity. To hide in the bathroom? Did they think she was some kind of moron not to realize that that was the only place they could be?
"You bitch," Robin said, jerking open the bathroom door.
The light was on, but the room was empty.
"How the hell . . .”she whispered to herself. "How the hell . . .”
On her way down to the office, she met Sid on the stairs. "Have you seen Dennis?" she asked.
"About half an hour ago. He said something about going for a walk."
She eyed him keenly as he passed her. Was he lying, covering up for his friend of many years? She had always trusted Sid before, but now he seemed like a stranger.
In the office, when she mentioned ever so casually that she had not seen Ann today, Donna told her that she had asked for the day off to do some Christmas shopping in Philadelphia, and, since she was well caught up with her work, Donna had obliged.
Shopping. Sure, Robin thought viciously, shopping for her husband's cock. They did it, goddammit, whether she caught them or not. They did it right in the bed she shared with Dennis, right in her own goddam bed, and Jesus, how that hurt, how that shamed her.
But she would say nothing. Not a thing. Not until she caught them, and she would catch them, it would be impossible not to, as careless as they were. She had no idea how they had gotten out of the bedroom, where they had hidden, but that they had been there was as true as the smell of that bitch's heat in the air. And when she found them
Robin could not remember ever being so angry. She was, she knew, mad enough to kill.
~ * ~
A week before Christmas, people began to disappear, but in a benign manner.
Marvella Johnson took Whitney and went to her sister's home in Baltimore, where Whitney's mother would also be for the holidays. Donna flew to her mother's home in Fort Myers, Florida, while John Steinberg went to his brother's house in upstate New York. Curt also returned home, leaving the only non-Hamilton in residence at the Venetian Theatre Sid Harper, whose parents were both dead, and who had no siblings.
Evan Hamilton wished that he had other relatives he could visit over the holidays, but his relationship with his paternal grandparents was even more forced than it was with his father, and he had not seen his maternal grandparents for a dozen years. He did not relish the thought of spending Christmas with Dennis and Robin. Nothing, he felt, had really changed between him and his father. Despite early indications to the contrary, Dennis seemed more withdrawn than ever before. Robin had invited him to have dinner with them several times, and at first Evan had great hopes that he might finally become friends with his dad. The first few meals together were warm and friendly, and there had been moments of closeness and affection.
But lately the invitations had come less frequently, then not at all. It was just as well. Ever since Thanksgiving, a grand and glorious feast cooked magnificently by Sid, Dennis and Robin seemed to be at cross purposes, as though a wide and unbridgeable abyss lay between them. Evan wondered what was wrong, but could gather no hints.
His unease at having to spend Christmas with his uncommunicative father and stepmother was relieved when Dennis visited his suite and told him that he and Robin were flying to London for the holidays. "I hope you understand," Dennis said. "Robin's been working awfully hard the past few weeks, and I think it's important that we have a little time to ourselves. It'll be lonely around here, but at least Sid's staying. I just hope you're not disappointed that we won't have a family Christmas."
Evan made a gallant effort to show the proper amount of dejection the situation warranted. "No, I understand. It's fine. I hope you have a great time."
~ * ~
They did not have a great time, nor even a good one. They had first come to London on their honeymoon, and Robin had loved it, entranced by every pub sign, by every plaque on what seemed like every house, by the overwhelming presence of age that hung over every twisted street, each little byway. The churches had awed and inspired her, the shops had delighted and tempted her, and Dennis had pushed her into every temptation. They had eaten in the little out of the way restaurants, most of them ethnic, that Dennis had discovered and cherished on previous trips across the Atlantic, had laughed, enjoyed, loved.
But this visit was the dark side of their first one. They revisited many of the old haunts, but Robin found no joy in them. The happy memories they brought up made the present situation that much more intolerable to her. To her credit, she tried to enjoy herself, tried to act as though nothing were wrong, told herself that she still loved Dennis, and that he had brought her here because he loved her as well. If he had not, wouldn't he have wanted to remain in Kirkland, where he could have continued his clandestine meetings with Ann Deems? Of course he loved her.
And every time she almost convinced herself of it, the image came into her mind of the rumpled bed, and she heard the mocking sound of a woman's laughter, caught the scent of a hated perfume.
She and Dennis slept in a double bed at the Hotel Russell, as always, but little went on in it other than sleep. Throughout their marriage, making love had nearly always been initiated by Robin, though Dennis always delightedly complied with her wishes. The few times she wondered why he was seldom the instigator, she assumed that it was in order to balance the reputation he had earned for being a Don Juan, to present an image to his wife of a man interested but little in sex, and therefore a potential model of fidelity.
But now, when she would have welcomed ardent overtures on Dennis's part, they were not forthcoming, and she felt in no mood to start them herself. Why should she be put in the position of begging for what was rightfully hers? Better, far better to do without than to have to ask, although she knew that Dennis sensed her anger, and that might have a great deal to do with his hesitation to approach her.
So the week passed, with London far more chilly than usual for December. They celebrated Christmas Day at their favorite restaurant. Robin gave Dennis a new Rolex, and he gave her a pair of diamond pendant earrings. When they kissed, it seemed to Robin that Dennis wanted to extend the contact, but Robin pulled quickly away, robbing the exchange of any warmth.
It was with relief that she boarded the plane back to the United States. The one thing to be said for the trip was that Dennis had no more dreams, neither nightmares nor visions more pleasurable. No names were blurted out in sleep. In a way, she wished he would confess, tell her the truth about himself and Ann Deems. Then together they could work something out, and she could find a way to banish the woman from both their lives.
It became an obsession with her. Every time Dennis opened his mouth, she stiffened, as if expecting to hear his words of self-condemnation. But he never mentioned it. He only became more patronizing toward her, agreeing with her most irrational remarks, giving in to her most casual whims without comment.
Damn, she thought, over and over again. Damn, Dennis, talk to me. Tell me what you're thinking, what you're feeling. It doesn't matter, as long as you can tell me. If you can tell me, then there's hope. Just tell me. Please. Tell me.
~ * ~
(The scene is the following week in the living room of Dennis and Robin Hamilton's suite in the Venetian Theatre Building. The furnishings are white, black, and sumptuous. On a bookcase, displayed very prominently, are two Tony Awards. Next to the bookcase is a large portrait of Dennis Hamilton as the Emperor Frederick. On the couch, his head buried in his hands, sits THE EMPEROR. He is dressed in a sweater and slacks. His body shakes as if with sobs. ROBIN enters stage left.)
ROBIN
I thought you were out. (Notices him crying) Dennis? Dennis, what is it?
THE EMPEROR
(He looks up at her, shakes, then cries out, as if in torment.) Oh Robin, oh God, Robin! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. . .
ROBIN
What is it? Tell me what's wrong!
THE EMPEROR
Robin, have you ever . . . thought about something . . . had something so strong on your mind that you couldn't get it out . . . you wanted to, but you couldn't? (He shakes his head) Have you ever had . . . an obsession like that?
ROBIN
(A sad look of resignation comes over her) Do you mean . . . (A pause) Ann Deems.
THE EMPEROR
(A brief nod) You knew, you knew all along. I can't get her out of my head, no matter how hard I try. It's as though she forces her way in whether I want her to or not.
ROBIN
(Firmly) Let her go, Dennis. Just let her go and forget about her.
THE EMPEROR
I can't. I can't, darling, don't you think I've tried? But it's impossible. Knowing that she's . . . that she's alive, that she'd be somewhere not far away — I can't live with that. I couldn't forget her, not for (He seems to oddly stress the next words) as long as she lives.
ROBIN
(Takes his hand) Dennis. . .
THE EMPEROR
(Lost in thought) If something happened to her . . . if it did, I would grieve, but it would pass. Like when I lost her once before, years ago, I grieved then. But life went on. I found other people. I found . . . (He looks into her eyes) . . . you. (He shakes his head savagely) Oh God, just forget I ever said anything about this. I'm not thinking straight. What's done is done, I can't change it, I'm sorry for it. We'll just . . . go along, take it from day to day. If you're willing to stay with me.
ROBIN
Of course. But Ann . . . why can't you just fire her?
THE EMPEROR
I told you. Firing her isn't the answer. Robin, I don't know how I expect you to understand this, but she's got . . . a part of me. I can't do anything to hurt her. I can't do it by myself. I'm yours, but a part of me is hers. And it will be. (A pause) For as long as she lives.
ROBIN
(She stands for a moment, thinking) I think maybe we both could use a drink.
THE EMPEROR
Yes. That would be good. Let's have a drink and talk about something else. (ROBIN starts to exit stage left) Robin? (She stops) Will you do something for me? (She looks at him) Will you not mention this to me again? I've said all I need to. More than I should have. Please. I don't want to hear her name on your lips. I don't want to think about her. All I want is to be free of her. (A pause) Will you help me? Help me with that?
ROBIN
(A pause) I'll get the drinks.
(She exits stage left. THE EMPEROR watches her go. Then he sits, leans backs, and, very slowly, smiles.)
Scene 17
Robin did as she was asked. She did not mention Ann Deems to Dennis. And Robin proceeded with something else that had been only suggested, Ann Deems's death.
Dennis had said, hadn't he, that he wanted to be free of her? Had said that he was bound by her for as long as she lived? Well then, the only way to free him was to end that life, end it in a way that would appear to be an accident.
Robin had never before harmed anyone, nor intended harm to anyone, and the realization that she now planned to kill a fellow human being strangely enough did not shock or dismay her. The deaths of Tommy Werton and Harry Ruhl had inured her to blood, and the thought of losing Dennis had inured her to the shedding of it. She had long heard that anyone is capable of murder, but had not really believed it. But now she knew that there was a limit, and she had been pushed to hers. Ann Deems had pushed her to it. Therefore, it followed that Ann Deems had to die, and die in a way so that Robin would not be suspected, and, even if suspected, would not be convicted. It was a situation more easily fancied than conceived, and several days passed before the plan began to formulate itself in Robin's laboring brain.
It was created by Ann Deems herself, born of an overheard comment of hers made to Donna Franklin. "The star ceiling is just incredible," Ann said. "I'd love to see how it works. How do you get up there?"
"There are catwalks," Donna answered. "Ask Sid or Curt sometime. I'm sure they wouldn't mind taking you up."
The catwalks. Robin had been up there only once. Two feet wide, they crisscrossed the area above the ceiling like a checkerboard made of wood. There were no handrails, nothing to stop the unwary from falling off onto the plaster two feet below. But once someone fell, they would not simply stop at the plaster, no. They would go through that fragile coating, break through the ceiling, and plummet to the floor of the theatre. There was a layer of chicken wire on top of the plaster, but Curt had told her that it was only wishful thinking that it could catch and hold the weight of a falling stagehand.
Or even, Robin considered, the lighter weight of a bitch.
~ * ~
"So what's the occasion?" Dennis asked John Steinberg. "The last time you took me to lunch was when the theatre sale was wrapped up."
Steinberg smiled. "Special times, Dennis. I only wish that this town had someplace a bit fancier than the Kirkland Inn. But it's the gesture that's important, I suppose, and not the quality — or lack of same — of the food." He took his wine glass, swirled the liquid, sniffed, and drank. "Craddock is now fully financed, Dennis. Completely backed. We have every cent we need."
A grin spread across Dennis's face. "That's wonderful, John. You've done a fabulous job."
Steinberg shrugged. "I do what I'm paid for."
"No, you do it because you love it."
"And I love it because I'm good at it. But whatever the reason, the company should be able to come in at the end of March as scheduled." He pursed his lips. "Now that the good news is over, I've got a question for you."
"Yes?"
"Supposing we hadn't been able to raise enough money. Would you have financed it?"
"No."
"You would have let the project die? Something you've been planning for years.”
“Yes."
"Do you mean that? We both know that three million dollars would put only a slight dent in your resources. If the show didn't make a cent, you could still afford to lose it."
"I won't do a vanity production. I've told you that. I won't have people saying that Dennis Hamilton is financing this show so that he can direct it. If we couldn't have raised the money from investors, I'd . . .”
"You'd have what? Sold the theatre? Forgotten about everything? Began your second retirement at forty-three?"
"Maybe."
"My ass you would've. But that same concern brings me to my next subject. The next show."
"Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves?"
"I don't think so," Steinberg said. "We'll be staging Craddock beginning in May. Three months here, then opening in the city. If it succeeds, we'll have no problem getting backing. If it fails, not that I expect it to, but if it does, we may have problems. You won't consider using your own funds, I take it?"
"No. Not out of penuriousness, John, but out of —"
"I know, I know, sheer pride. Then may I suggest what I think would be a spectacular fund raiser? What if, for one night only, right here in the theatre where he had his birth, we resurrected the Emperor?"
Dennis was silent for a moment. "I don't understand."
"One final performance of A Private Empire. Twelve hundred seats, and each seat reserved for an investor of $5000."
"No, John." The reply was unequivocal.
"Dennis. That's six million dollars. We can stage one performance for less than seven figures. The second show would be instantly financed."
"I said no. I've given my last performance as the Emperor. How long do you expect me to keep beating a dead horse?"
"Dennis —"
"No, John. I'm surprised you'd even ask me that. I won't even consider it. That part of my life is over. The Emperor is dead." Dennis drained his wine glass. "He's dead."
~ * ~
It's here, isn't it . . . yes, right where she left it, here in the top drawer of her desk.
