Lanterns of Babylon

CHAPTER THREE-CORY STILLING

The Farmer’s Market 1971

It would not stop raining. The streets near the Farmer’s Market were flooding over and the traffic had grounded to a halt. Sunny California thought Cory. At least it beat the snow in Minnesota. The driver behind her gave an impatient honk. Cory looked in her rearview mirror at the man in the red Ferrari. He was probably a producer late for a meeting. He honked again. She held up her hands. What can I do mister? I can’t move until the cars in front of me move.

Cory Stilling had been in Hollywood for five years. In that time, she had done three films and had various roles on TV. The two national spots for Chevrolet and Ultra-Brite toothpaste made her enough money to live comfortably. She turned down a very well paying beer commercial and a generous offer from Playboy magazine. She also turned down a film role in a prestigious, all-star film, because the part required nudity.

So was the life of a Christian actress in Hollywood. Cory did not regret the work she turned down. God had more than provided her with opportunities. What if I hadn’t gotten any work at all? She wondered.  Would I still be in Minneapolis? Chicago, maybe? She had steeled herself to be a starving actress when she made the trip west, but God had blessed her.

Unlike many actresses, Cory did not suffer many dry spells. In fact, life in Hollywood had been relatively easy for her. She knew that even if she had to struggle and take odd jobs, she would not succumb to the casting couch. She would refuse jobs that didn’t fit her moral code. Surprise, surprise, Cory found her niche in the lucrative TV commercial world.

The oldest of five children, Cory left her big, happy family for the bright lights of La La Land. She had natural beauty and an abundance of talent. And she had a desire to use God’s gifts in the proper way. Her mother was against the bold move.

“Cory, honey, that town is a cesspool,” said Mrs. Stilling. “There are temptations around every corner. Please don’t go.”

 Her father, a preacher, was all for it. “Find your way, Cory,” he told her. “And God will lead you in the right direction as long as you keep Him in your life and do His will.”

She was very satisfied with her well paying career. Instead of buying a flashy car and a home in Bel-Air, she lived modestly with a second hand car and her simple wood frame rental house near the Market. Her money went to the City of Angels Christian Church and to various charities. She donated several hundred Bibles to the inner city, along with clothing and food. What she had left over, she invested. Cory was a Wall Street junkie. She lived and breathed the Dow Jones and studied the business world. As a young girl, she spent long hours with her uncle who was a broker. He explained the types of investments and risks that were involved in high finance.

“Earl, don’t bore poor Cory with your shoptalk,” Aunt Lana said.

 Cory, who was sitting at the foot of Uncle Earl as he sat in his easy chair, waved her off. “Oh no, Aunt Lana. I find it all very fascinating. It’s like the wonderful things you can do with math, except that it translates into shops, hospitals, beef, all sorts of neat stuff.” Aunt Lana arched a cynical eyebrow at her niece. 

Uncle Earl chuckled as he filled up his pipe. “Don’t inhibit the child, Lana. This girl is going to become the Financial Wizard of Wall Street.”

 Cory gave a delighted laugh. “What about that blue chip thing Uncle Earl?”

So when Cory had a little money, she found companies that were safe investments and multiplied her wealth making her very comfortable financially.

Despite her solid career and finances, Cory wasn’t completely happy. Her single status was not in her life plan. Cory wanted a family. She wanted children. She avoided the actors and directors who constantly hit on her. She tried dating some of the young men at her church, but they were intimidated by her beauty, self-confidence and semi-celebrity status. She dated a guy named Don for about four months. It was her longest relationship in California. Once as they were leaving a movie theatre, Don asked, “What if you become really famous like Julie Andrews or Audrey Hepburn?”

“I’ll be about ten times richer,” she laughed. 

Don looked troubled. “Yeah, but I want to have kids and a home,” he said.

“Me too,” Cory replied seriously.

“I don’t know Cory. Do you think you can handle being famous? I mean really being famous?”

Don opened the door for her and she got into the blue convertible. She was quiet for the first two blocks as they drove towards her place.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“About your question. The answer is yes. I could handle it.” Cory looked out at the endless string of clubs and restaurants on Santa Monica Boulevard. “But that’s not the question Don.”

“What is it then?”

“The question is, could you handle it?” 

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I think I could.” 

Cory’s voice was calm and low. “Do you think you could handle the photographers, the time consuming interviews, the attention other men would give me?”

 Don’s face turned red. “I think I could.” His voice was hard, full of bravado.

Cory kept her eyes on the street ahead. Don was nice. He was a good Christian, except for one fault. He had a jealous streak. Cory knew it would be tough on anyone who married her. And she was very choosy, despite the burning desire to marry. She wouldn’t marry just anyone.

Long before Cory moved west, she depended on God to show her the way. If He let her have success, she would deal with the down side of it. If she couldn’t find acting work and had to do odd jobs, that was okay too. Her battle wasn’t dealing with a career, but finding a man who could deal with it. Cory hoped and prayed she’d find the right mate. Even knowing that she was in His hands didn’t always temper her frustrations. She was beautiful, well off and respected. But maybe she wasn’t supposed to be here. Maybe Los Angeles was not her future. After five years, she was still looking for the right person to share her life.

Cory dashed out of her car with the groceries. The rain had let up, but it was still a watery trek to the front porch. Unlocking the door, she heard the phone ringing. She dropped the wet grocery sacks on the couch and hurried to the wall phone in the kitchen. She grabbed the receiver. “Hello?”

“Cory, good news.” It was her agent, Kiki.

“What’s up, Kiki?”

“Wayne Hampton wants you for “The Lancer Ultimatum”. You’re in, sugar.”

Wayne Hampton. She had forgotten about that audition. It had been two months ago. He called her back to read for the part of the younger sister. It was a great role. It was a career-making role. And everyone in Hollywood wanted to work with Hampton. This young director was the flavor of the year. His first three movies were all in the top ten grossing films of all time. Hitchcock was the master of suspense, but Wayne Hampton was being called The Titan of Tension.  In the vein of such thrillers as “The Andromeda Strain”, Wayne Hampton was an old pro at putting audiences on the edge of their seats.

“The Lancer Ultimatum”, Cory repeated.

 Kiki was trying to keep the excitement out of her voice and failing miserably. “This could get you an Oscar nomination, Sweetie.” Cory felt a sensation around her ankles. Her gray cat, Doll had silently wandered up and was gently rubbing against her. “And here’s the best part,” said Kiki. “I’ve got you a hundred and fifty thousand, plus points.” Cory reached down and picked up Doll.

“You’re kidding.”

“Points, Cory! Points in a Wayne Hampton picture. I am so good, I cannot stand myself.”

“How did you do it, Kiki?”

“I convinced them you’re going to be bigger than Julie Christie, Streisand, Ann-Margret, all of them. This movie will make us both rich!”

“Calm down, Kiki. I’m thrilled and thanks a lot. You are the best. Do I have script approval?”  Kiki’s voice dropped an octave.

“I’m not a miracle worker kiddo. What do you want?”

“Well, I read a few scenes at the audition. I read a couple more at the call back. It’s a dynamite part, but I’d like to read the whole script.”

“Don’t worry dear. You play the younger sister who betrays her country while putting her older sister in danger with the communists. It’s a fool proof part.”

“Yeah, that sounds like me.”

“And I stipulated that your character will not have a nude scene.” 

This is what Cory was waiting to hear from her agent. “Thanks Kiki. How about the language?”  There was silence on the other end of the line. Finally Cory heard Kiki let out a resigned sigh.

“You will drive me to the Loony Bin for Agents.”

“I thought that’s where you are now, Kiki.”

“Ha. Ha. Be at Global Productions on Tuesday at 9:00. We’re signing contracts and making it a publicity moment. For the film, not for you.”

“Kiki, you cut me to the quick. You know I have no ego.”

“You have an ego. You just don’t show it.”

“See ya, Kiki. And thanks again.”

Cory hung up and touched her nose to Doll’s.

“We’re going to be rich and famous, yes we are.” She walked over to the window, watching the rain, rubbing Doll behind the ears. She looked up into the grey clouds. A tear rolled down her cheek. It was not a tear of sadness, but of deep gratitude.

“Thank you Lord. Thank you for Thy love. I don’t deserve your goodness or the bounty you provide me.” Her heart was full. Life was too good for her. Cory put Doll down and started unloading the groceries.