Lady Boss Read Online Free PDF Page A

joked.
    â€˜The man is eighty-eight, and in full possession of all his faculties,’ she replied, full of confidence.
    Morton Sharkey had never thought it possible. But then Morton Sharkey had never dealt with a Santangelo before. When Lucky put something in motion, she was behind it all the way, and instinct had immediately told her Abe Panther would love to dump on his granddaughters’ two thieving husbands and pull the studio –
his
studio – out from under them.
    Secret negotiations had taken place. At first Abe hadn’t seemed interested, until Lucky had insisted on flying out to Los Angeles for a face-to-face confrontation.
    Abe Panther might be an old man, but she had known they were kindred spirits the moment her black Santangelo eyes met his canny faded blue ones at their first meeting.
    â€˜What the hell you know ’bout runnin’ a studio an’ makin’ movies?’ he’d snapped at her.
    â€˜Not much,’ she’d replied honestly. ‘But I
can
smell garbage when I’m near it, and that’s what your studio is turning out. Cheap, exploitative garbage.’ Her eyes glowed. ‘So. I reckon I can only do a better job, right?’
    â€˜The studio’s turnin’ a profit,’ Abe had pointed out.
    â€˜Yes, but you’re still makin’ shit movies. I want to make Panther great again, as it once was. And let me tell you something – I
can
do it. That, I assure you, is a Santangelo promise. And the Santangelos do not break promises.’ She’d paused and stared at him, mesmerizing him with her dangerous black eyes before adding, ‘Bet on it.’
    He’d warmed to her immediately. She had spirit and ballsiness, refreshing qualities in a woman.
    And Lucky had guessed right: Abe would enjoy nothing more than to screw Mickey Stolli and Ben Harrison out of what they took for granted as their rightful inheritance.
    A deal was put into motion. All that was needed now was Abe’s signature.
    â€˜Let me talk to Lucky alone,’ Abe said, shifting in his chair.
    They were almost there, but Morton sensed a curve ball coming. ‘Certainly,’ he said, far more easily than he felt. He glanced over at Lucky.
    Imperceptibly she nodded, indicating he should leave.
    Morton walked out of the room.
    Inga didn’t budge. She remained behind the old man’s desk, a stoic Swedish monument.
    â€˜Out!’ Abe commanded sharply.
    A twitch of her thin lips was the only indication that she minded being dismissed. As she left the room she slammed the door behind her to show her displeasure.
    Abe cackled. ‘Inga don’t like me telling her what to do. Still blames me for never makin’ her a star.’ He shook his head. ‘Not my fault. No screen presence. Movie stars gotta have two qualities – without ’em they’re dead.’ He cocked his head on one side. ‘Know what they are?’
    Lucky nodded. She knew Abe Panther’s credo by heart. ‘Likability and fuckability,’ she recited without hesitation.
    He was impressed. ‘How’d you know that?’ he demanded.
    â€˜Because I’ve read everything about you. Every press clip, studio release, three unauthorized biographies. Oh, and a few personal biographies by some
very
beautiful female stars who couldn’t help but mention you.’ She grinned. ‘You sure got around in your time, didn’t you? You’re a very famous man, Mr. Panther.’
    He nodded, pleased at her assessment of his standing. ‘Yup. I’m the last of ’em,’ he said proudly. ‘The last of the movie dinosaurs.’
    â€˜I wouldn’t call you a dinosaur.’
    â€˜Don’t need your flattery, girlie. You’ve almost got your deal.’
    â€˜I know.’ Her black eyes shone. ‘I’m ready to meet your price. You’re ready to sell to me. So come on, Mr. P. What exactly is holding us