A Starlet’s Story

My bill at Le Normandy in Deauville was approximately $125.00 for 4 days! Despite how carefully I plan, it is the hidden - unseen extras that are devouring my carefully-budgeted trip. Truthfully, am beginning to have faint premonitions - of an earlier departure for New York. I have some dark forebodings, unless I run into some extraordinary windfall. Caught the express to Paris. Did not enjoy Deauville as much as before - it all seemed like a “re-hash” of before. Maybe - at last - am reaching a saturation point - on my European travels. This is my 23rd trip to Europe since 1949 - my first. I feel a part of Europe – as much as I am fiercely loyal to the U.S., do have a true liaison that runs deep - with so many deeply-embedded, warm and happy memories of Europe. Two European husbands - one a horrid horrid mistake, but the other - kind and warm memories for: Viscount Cassio Prado de Salgado (Brazil). The only one worthy of mention. So my “flair” for the glamorous continental with an abundance of charm, elegance, worldliness, suave – one who speaks many languages – was deeply manifested long ago. Arrived back at Gare St. Lazare - at noon - saw my original porter & hailed him through the large train window - he gave me a big smile of recognition & bounded for my luggage. I was relieved. He seemed ready to cart up my myriad pieces of luggage & took me to a waiting taxi, as I had to cross town to another station. Paris has several train stations. Now - at Gare de Lyon - I barely caught the famous Le Mistral Express straight to Nice. I went into the beautiful diner car – as I was hungry. It was filled. But the maître d’ found a place – at a table for two - a french gentleman already sitting there. Nice looking - fun. He was quick-witted and outgoing. He explained he did not speak but little English - and - I laughed - and said I spoke only “little French.” We quickly became friends. We laughed and chatted 90 per - he ordered wine and offered me to join. It seemed the thing to do - and I did. He told several jokes - so did I. Said he was a French naval officer and he had been all over the world - same as I - so naturally, there was a quick rapport. We each paid our own checks. It was about $8.00 each - & he grumbled about high prices - as well as I. Since 15 percent service compris is on every check, I was immensely gratified that he did not leave a single centime (dime) additional. I feel the same way. I like to see people who are not sheep and have the courage of their convictions. We laughed so much, I hated for the lunch to be over – but all fun must come to an end. We shook hands - wished each other a happy & safe journey. He was going to Toulon and I — Monte Carlo. When I reached my velvet and glass enclosed compartment, was surprised to see - that others had joined: a Frenchman - who spoke no English, two young (13 & 15) Mexican boys (cousins), an attractive French born lady (now U.S. citizen), her little son - age 8, and a very attractive, young man of 18 (French) who spoke English. Before long we were all laughing & talking and having great commanderie. The boy of 8 - stole my heart. So cute, very alert - asked me so many questions. I loved answering them, and he became more alert and almost flirtatious. His mother kept admonishing him for pestering me, but actually, I did enjoy that dear little boy. He especially endeared himself to me when he abruptly asked me if I ever “could” visit Arizona (as that’s where he lived). I said, “I might.” Then he said, “You could come and visit us!” Funny - how a remark like that, from an unscheming child meant so much. Hours later as we neared Nice, I helped his mother get him together. I combed his hair & straightened his collar - he did not seem to mind. I wondered if his mother took such pains - he looked at me with such wonderment. The train terminated at Nice. We all piled off. I grabbed the 8-year-old kid and spontaneously kissed him - he seemed totally surprised, but I was taken aback at his return of my caress - he quickly kissed my cheek & gave a lightning-quick return embrace - and I shook hands with the mother & they were gone. I hailed a porter. Told him I wanted to get a fast train to Monte Carlo - about 25 kilometers and he threw another lady’s luggage off his cart & exclaimed excitedly that the last train to Monte Carlo was leaving in five minutes!! He told me to run for the train & he would meet me at the tracks. I felt sick as he wheeled all my luggage – coats - furs - out of sight. I had no tickets - nothing. The young french boy who sat opposite in my compartment suddenly loomed out of nowhere & quickly took my hand. We flew - to the right tracks - several trains were there, but he directed me to the right one. But I was balking about getting on — because my porter & luggage were nowhere in sight!! Out of nowhere came my porter - yelling every second to get aboard. I had to fish out some money for him – & did – 10 dix francs ($2.00). He was happy at that, and I could never have caught that train if it had not been for him. The young boy, however, was helping him pitch my luggage on - and at same time - the train began to move. The boy hung on to the platform outside the train - asking me for my address in New York. I wrote as fast as possible - but never did get time to add “New York” (or my phone number). As the train was now picking up at a dangerous speed-