I was late and ready to be lambasted by the Assistant Director. My Bug wouldn't start so I called a cab. I waited on the street. Ten minutes later he showed. Now, I don't know if you've ever taken a cab in LA but they're slow, have no idea how to drive, where they're going, or how to get there.

I jumped in. "Warner's Hollywood, please."

"I'm sorry, now where did you say?" The man in the Stetson obviously a transplant from the south eastern part of the country.

"Warner Hollywood, on Formosa."

"Oh, now I know where that is. That's across the street from a club I patron every now and then. You know, it's like an actor's and writer's hang out. And since I am an actor, now that's where I hang." He guffawed at his comment. He wasn't bad looking, but ruined his looks at his attempts at Hollywoodization. Bleached hair, too tan, and wearing passÚ vintage clothing.

"I'm late for work. Could we get going?"

"Well, now I am just waiting for the car to pass." When it did, he drove on. Silence for a short moment until, "You know in this town everybody seems to be so tensed out. They need a night in the Tennessee Valley, breathe in some fresh air and see what life is really about."

"Then why are you here?" I said, determined to prove his ignorance.

"Well, now I have what they call the actor's bug. I am an actor, or at least working at being one." I was sorry I asked. "But I am working hard and have faith in myself. They say that's what it takes." He leaned down on his seat and reached beneath, pulling out an 8X10 and handing it back to me.

"I'm not casting director or anything."

"Well, you never know."

"I do know. I know I am not a casting director."

"It's funny how somethings change. The last thing you ever thought you'd be could be a pre-determined destiny."

"Look buddy-"

"Arnold, Arnold Yarbourgh, and you are?"

"Huh, Fran, my name is Fran, but listen you got to drive faster and concentrate." My frustration was in full blast. I didn't want to disappoint Helen and be late after she treated me so great at her party. I certainly didn't want to be fired.

"Like I said, it's good to take your time and do things the friendly way."

"Just drive the goddamn cab-- fast." He turned his body straight forward and shut up.

The dichotomy of being a nice girl and a girl not to be messed with was splitting my conscience, so when we pulled up to the curb, I took his picture and said, "I'll give it to the casting director for the show I work on, okay."

"Well, that would be mighty kind of you." His grinned, thinking he actually had the chance of getting a job like that. I felt sorry for him.

I ran across the studio and Helen was coming out of her trailer dressed. "Helen, I am so sorry. My car wouldn't start," I pleaded.

She smiled and said, "Well we're going to have to get you a new one." And she headed for the stage.

John, the Production Assistant followed behind her and whispered to me, "I heard you went to Helen's party."

"Yeah. So?"

"Well, nobody gets invited."

"Oh." When I walked into the stage the Assistant Director came running up to me and I sucked a deep breath.

"Hey, I heard your car broke down. Listen I'll send a driver to pick you up if ever have any more trouble. Or maybe we should just arrange a ride until you get a new car or something."

Now this man hardly had said two words to me in the past. And then it hit me-- they all knew I went to her party.

"Well that would be great, if you don't mind?"

"Oh no, no, I'll get a driver assigned to you and that'll be it. Great! Hey I'll talk to you later."

John stood nearby, shaking his head as I walked over. "What!?" I said.

"It's just that you seemed cool before. I hope you are." And he walked away. I had a glimmer of what he meant, but my mind turned to Helen and what she needed.