Talk of the Town Read Online Free PDF Page A

handler.”
    “Butch izz gone.” The words were short and quick, as if Ursula were taking a bite out of a big, juicy steak. Butch is gone. Chomp. Who would like to be next?
    Even though experience told me now was the time to shut up, I heard myself blurt, “Why? What happened? Amber likes Butch. She listens to him.” Actually, I liked Butch, too. He was a nice midwestern kid from some obscure film school. He had big hopes and dreams and was patient with Amber, even when she wandered off without telling him, landed herself in the tabloids, and landed him in trouble. Now that Amber’s uncanny talent for attracting controversy was translating into ratings, Butch was Ursula’s favorite boy.
    Accent on was , apparently.
    “Butch izz gone.” The Swedish singsong had vanished from Ursula’s voice. “Apparently, Mandee-lay, you have not seen The National Examiner today?”
    No, sorry, I’ve been in cabs, airplanes, helicopters, and rental cars since three a.m. “I don’t think they have The National Examiner here.” I added a nervous little laugh, trying to make it sound like a joke. Ursula was not amused.
    Overhead, another clap of thunder boomed across the sky, and a gust of wind twirled the Amber banner into an unreadable tube. Maybe the storm would blow it down. . . .
    “On the front cover are pictures of Am-beer with this playboy, Justin Shay,” Ursula growled into the other end of the phone. “She izz with him at the beach, in the café, in the convertible on Sunset Boulevard, huggingk in front of the studio, and at a rally for his Shokahna religion. Vhere, I ask you, was Butch while this was goingk on? It izz one thing for Am-beer to step into harmless trouble, or even to date some playboy who izz old enough to be her father, but we cannot have her seen entertaining thee Shokahna idea. She izz gos-peel singer. The impression that Ameri-keen Megastar has turned her from her religious convictions, vhatever they are, could be bad for ratingks. When she comes to hometown, there must be careful management of theese issue. If this Justin Shay arrives there with her, you must make sure zhere are no bad reflections upon ze show. Do you understandt?”
    “I . . .” Ay-ai-ai . How in the world could I promise that? Justin Shay’s own handlers couldn’t keep him under control. He’d been in and out of jail for the last twenty years, for everything from drug abuse to compulsive gambling and hiring prostitutes. “I’ll do my best.”
    “You vill do the job.” Thunder added a silent or else .
    Aunt Bee was coming across the street, one hand still holding down her puffy hairdo, and the other waving at me. “Hey there. Do you need some help?” she called.
    “No . . . uhhh . . . thank you,” I hollered over the rising wind.
    “Vhat!” Ursula screeched in the earpiece. “Vhat? You are tellingk me no?”
    “Are you lost?” The woman on the street cupped her hand near her mouth as a sudden gust blew her sideways three steps.
    “No,” I answered, adding a friendly wave that I hoped would send her back to her own side of the road.
    “Vhat!” Ursula screamed.
    “I mean, I’m not. I’m not saying no,” I muttered, holding my purse and the phone near my face, while trying to look inconspicuous.
    “Pardon?” Aunt Bee cupped a hand to her ear, shuffling the last few steps across the street and stepping onto the curb.
    “No. I’m not lost, thank you.”
    “Mandee-lay. Vhat is goingk on?” Ursula’s voice had risen three octaves and was now vibrating with irritation. The Swedish accent was getting thick again.
    “Someone’s here,” I whispered, turning my shoulder to the street. Aunt Bee moved closer, looking curious. “I’d better go.”
    “You understand this—vhat I have told you to do izz not optional. You understand this, correct?”
    “Yes, I understand. I’ll take care of it.” I hope .
    “Very good. Good-bye, Mandee-lay.” Was it my imagination, or did that good-bye have a note of