Celluloid Memories by Sandra Kitt

Then he looked at me and said, ‘It’s very curly, isn’t it?’ I laughed and said he should know hair could be made straight or curly. That was the end of it, but the way he looked at me scared me silly. Afterward I ran to the ladies’ room and stared in the mirror. What else had he noticed? I’d never had any problems before, but I wondered if he could tell. Is it something about my nose or my lips? What if he’d asked me about my background?
    My friend Will said he could tell when we first met that I wasn’t white. He said it was the way I talked and sometimes what I said. I have to be more careful. Will said it wasn’t his place to judge what other people did with their lives. I told him I was just using what God had given me. Hell, in one way I’ve been acting all my life to get by. I think Will sometimes feels sorry for me, but he also tries to watch out for me. He said everybody’s got something they’re trying to live up to, or live down….

Chapter 5
    S avannah stared at her screen, trying to keep track of the various links that had generated from her Google search for the name Rae Marie Hilton.
    She’d been surprised by the number of possible hits, but the past hour spent checking out some of them had produced only the mention of Rae Marie’s name from cast lists, dated reviews and several old profiles. None of the information had been revealing, or even very personal. The one thing Savannah had not been able to find out was whether the actress was dead or alive.
    â€œHey, Baby Girl. What’s up?” Taj asked, stepping into her office space and planting himself in the extra chair.
    Taj’s sudden appearance made Savannah jump with guilt. She didn’t want anyone to know why she was researching an obscure actress who probably hadn’t been heard of in two decades. He was wearing one earplug from an iPod while the other swung free in front of his chest. From the tiny amplifier came the screechy distorted sounds of a rap song.
    â€œWhat are you listening to?” She asked.
    â€œGreat new group out of Compton called MoJo. They’re starting to get a lot of play and some press. I’m thinkin’ of contacting them and offering my services as a producer. What you working on?”
    â€œOh…er…I just finished writing a critique of a treatment. It was good enough that I wanted to see what I could find on the Internet about the author.”
    Taj snickered. “Don’t waste your time. He could be an ax murderer, but if the studio bosses think they can make a buck off this guy’s story that’s all that matters.”
    â€œYou’re too young to be so cynical,” Savannah said, as she logged back into her e-mail, and stared at the screen. There was a message from McCoy.
    â€œAnd you’re too… mature to be so innocent,” Taj said carefully.
    Savannah chuckled. “I need a favor from you since, by your own proclamation, you know everything and everyone in Hollywood.”
    â€œAnything for you, you know that.”
    â€œI’m trying to find out about a former actress by the name of Rae Marie Hilton. She would have been in the business about twenty-five years ago. And she’s white,” Savannah concluded smoothly.
    â€œNever heard of her but I’ll see what I can dig up for you. You should also check out the American Film Institute. They’ve got records on everybody who was anybody in this town, from way back.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Savannah said, making a note. But it occurred to her that she might also use that source to see what more she could learn about Will Shelton.
    â€œI got something for you,” Taj suddenly said in a sweet, coy voice.
    â€œReally?”
    â€œSure do. It’s on my desk. I’ll be right back…”
    He was out the door in a shot, and Savannah turned at once to her e-mail, opening with great curiosity the