Leading Lady

CHAPTER 1

The black and white grain of a motion picture played. A tall slender woman with an astonishing elegant gown made her way up a long flight of stairs, her movements smooth and dream-like. The woman stopped and turned back to look down towards the landing, her large oval eyes glistened with tears as she knew what choice she had to make.

            A young woman with long brown hair sat in bed with her cornflower blue eyes glued to the TV. Her hand reached for the small bowl of popcorn that sat next to her.

            "What a wonderful movie this is," she whispered after licking some salt from her lip.

            Just then the door of her room opened and in entered Ines, an older woman with faded brown hair pulled back in a bun. She carried a pile of folded clothes in her arms and put them down on the bed.

            "Here, all clean," Ines said and turned to look at the TV. "Is it me, or is this actress always climbing a flight of stairs in every movie she's in? Goodness, it's like that is the only thing she ever knew how to do."

            "Mom, are you kidding me?" answered the young woman, "Bette Davis was a screen legend. She single-handedly revolutionized the world of Hollywood. Always fought for better scripts and refused to participate in any film she didn't believe was up to par. She did a lot more than just climb staircases."

            "Ok, if you say so," Ines smiled, "I've always preferred Joan Crawford."

            "She was alright but not compared to Bette. The point is that she made it to the top because she knew how to maneuver herself in the business. She stood up for what she believed in and never stopped working until she made a name for herself."

            "Ok Lucille, I was just making a comment, good lord!" Ines laughed.

            Lucille turned her attention back to the TV as the words "THE END" appeared on the screen. A smile crossed her face. "Well, I sure hope that's how you do things. That you work hard to achieve your dreams because, in the end, nothing is going to be given to you so easily."

            "I know mom," Lucille said dreamily. "I know exactly what I want and more or less how to get it. You know something? I already see myself successful. That's how most people should do it; aside from working hard for it, they need to close their eyes and see themselves already with what they desire and they need to believe it."

            Ines looked down at her daughter, who closed her eyes. Lucille's grin grew wider before she squealed and opened her eyes.

            "Just watch mom," she said excitedly, "I'm going to be a famous actress ... famous and rich!"

            "Just as long as you always remember where you came from," Lucille's mother said softly. She sat down next to her daughter and caressed her hair. "I always hear about how the world of entertainment changes people. There are people out there that will want to take advantage of you. You're young and beautiful and that can bring trouble."

            "Not for me," Lucille shook her head. "I'm going to be one of the lucky ones, mother. I'm going to be the leading lady in hundreds of films, win a lot of awards and inspire millions of people to want to be like me. Oh, I can hardly wait!"

            "Do it because you love it, sweetheart, not for the money."

            "Mother, please! I'm obviously in it because I like it! But it doesn't hurt to think of the glamorous side of it, too."

            "You mean the materialistic," Ines corrected.

            "Call it whatever you want it, I'm still destined for it."