Chapter 11 chapter Ten

"I've got you a gig in Las Vegas," Clifton Lawrence told Toby. "I've got Dick Landry to help you out. He's the best nightclub guy." director." "Wonderful! Which hotel? Flamenco? Or Reu?" "oasis." "Oasis?" Toby glanced at Clifton to see if he was joking. "I've never—" "I know," said Clifton, smiling, "you've never heard of this hotel. Great. They've never heard of you either. Actually, it wasn't you they booked—they booked It was me. They took my advice and said you were fine."

"Don't worry," Toby agreed, "I'll be fine." As he was leaving, Toby broke the news to Alice Tanner that he had signed to perform in Las Vegas. "I know you're going to be a big star," she said, "that's your world. They're going to adore you, honey." She hugged him and said, "When do we leave? In a What should I wear the night of the first night of a young comedian's talent?" Toby shook his head sadly. "I wish I could take you with me, Alice. The problem is I've got to work around the clock and have a lot of new material to think about."

She tried to hide her disappointment as best she could. "I understand," she hugged him tighter, "how long are you going?" "I don't know right now. It seems like an occasional gig, you know." She felt a stabbing pain in her heart.However, she knew she was a bit silly. "Call me every chance you get," she said. Toby kissed her and danced out the door. It seems like Las Vegas, Nevada has opened its doors just for Toby Temple's happiness.He felt it as soon as he saw the city.The city had a strange vigor that suited him, a pulsation as strong as that which emanated from within him.Toby, O'Harron, and Linegle flew into the city.When they arrived at the airport, a limousine from the Oasis Hotel was waiting for them.A wonderful world is about to belong to Toby, this is his first attempt.He leaned back in the big black sedan very comfortably, and let the driver ask him, "Is the flight all right, Mr. Temple?"

Often, Toby thought, it's the little people who smell success before it's even realised. "Same old, no fun." Toby said casually.He saw O'Harron and Linegle exchange small smiles, and he turned to smile at them.He felt close to them both.They were all in a gang, the best gang in the acting business. The Oasis Hotel is located outside of the posh area, far from the more prestigious hotels.When the limousine drove not far from the hotel, Toby found that the scale and luxury of the Oasis Hotel were no less than that of the Flamingo or the Reu Hotel, even better and stronger in some places.In front of it, there is a huge tabernacle with the inscription:

〖Officially opened on September 4th lili wallace Toby Temple〗 Toby's name was written in dazzling letters that looked literally a hundred feet high.There is nothing in the world more magnificent than this sight. "Look there!" he said, not without awe. O'Harlan glanced at the ad and said, "Huh! What's up? Lili Wallace?" Then laughed, "Never mind, Toby. After the opening ceremony, you'll be in front of her. " The manager of the Oasis Hotel is a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion named Parker.He greeted Toby, and escorted him to his apartment himself.Along the way, he kept saying flattering words. "I can't tell you how glad we are to have you here, Mr. Temple. If you need anything—anything—you just let me know."

Toby knew that this welcome was for Clifton Lawrence.It was the first time the legendary agent had patronized the hotel to book a show for his client.And what the hotel manager really hopes is that it can host some of Lawrence's really big stars. The suite is very spacious.There are three bedrooms, a large living room, kitchen, bar and balcony.On a table in the living room, there is an assortment of beverages, as well as flowers, a large plate of fresh fruit, cottage cheese and other tribute gifts. "I hope you are satisfied, Mr. Temple," said Parker. Toby looked around and remembered the small, dirty, cockroach-and-flea-infested inns he used to live in. "Yes, very good."

"Mr. Landry came to check it out an hour ago. I've arranged to have the Mirage Hall cleaned out at three o'clock in the afternoon for your rehearsal." "Thank you." "Remember, if you need anything—" The manager bowed and backed away. Toby stood there, admiring everything around him.He would live in a place like this for the rest of his life from now on.He will have it all - women, money and applause.The main thing is applause.People sat there laughing and cheering.Everyone loves him.That's what he eats and drinks.He doesn't need anything else.

Dick Landry was about twenty-eight or twenty-eight, thin, tall and slender.A little bald on the head.The two long legs grow well.He was originally a self-provided delivery truck driver on Broadway. After graduating from the chorus, he worked as a dancer, ballet choreographer, and then worked as a director.Landry knew what kind of fun audiences wanted.He can't turn a bad show into a good one, but he can at least turn a bad show into a good one.And, if he can get a good one, he can make it a hit.Until ten days ago, Landry had never heard of Toby Temple.And the only reason he'd plugged it in during his busy schedule, coming to Las Vegas to side-by-side with Temple, was because Clifton Lawrence asked him to.And it was Clifton Lawrence who got Landry started.

Ten minutes after Dick Landry met Toby Temple, he realized that he was working with the same genius.After Landry listened to Toby's monologue, he found himself laughing -- which he rarely did.But it wasn't so much the jokes that worked as it was the moving wistful look with which Toby told them.His sincere expression will really touch your heart.He's a little thing to admire, and you're afraid of dropping something off your head.You'll want to run up to him and pick him up, assuring him that all is well. After Toby finished, Landry did his best to refrain from applauding.He walked onto the stage, and Toby stood there. "Very well done," he said enthusiastically, "very well indeed."

Toby said happily: "Thank you. Cliff used to say, you will tell me how to be a great actor." "I'm going to try," Landry said. "The first thing you do is learn to diversify your talents. If you're always standing there telling jokes, you're no more than a standing burlesque. Let me hear you sing a song." Toby smiled: "Rent a canary, I'm not good at singing." "Try it." Toby tried it.Landry was delighted: "Your voice is not very good, but you have a strong sense of music. If the song is selected correctly, you can pass it off and they will think you are. We will try to find some composers for you. Provide some special material. I don't want you to just sing those few songs like ordinary people. Just walk around and let me see."

Toby moved around. Landry studied it carefully and said, "All right, all right. You're not going to be a dancer, but I'm going to make you look like one." "Then why?" Toby asked, "Aren't there a lot of people who can sing and dance well?" "It's the same with comedians," Landry retorted. "I'm trying to make you a comedian." Toby smiled and said, "Let's roll up our sleeves and do it." They set to work.O'Harron and Lineger were a must at every rehearsal.They help add some content, create some new regular shows.And watching Landry train Toby.It was an exhausting workout.Every time Toby rehearses, he has to practice until the muscles of his whole body hurt everywhere.He lost five pounds and became nice and strong.He has singing lessons every day, practices his voice every day, and is still singing in his dreams.In addition to rehearsing new comedies with other young people, he also learned new songs (these songs were composed especially for him).Then, rehearse everything from scratch. Almost every day Toby could find a note in his drawer and Alice Tanner called.He remembered how she had dragged her back.The conditions are not met yet.Well, he already has it now, and it is because he ignored her obstruction that he has today.To hell with her!He tossed the note away.Finally, the note stopped.However, rehearsals are still going on. Suddenly, opening night came. The birth of a new star is a mysterious thing.It seemed like some kind of telepathy spread across the acting world in an instant.Through some mysterious illusion, it spread to London, to Paris, to New York, to Sydney, where there is a theater, the news will spread. Five minutes after Toby Temple stepped onto the Oasis stage, the news broke: a new star was rising on the horizon. Clifton Lawrence flew in for Toby's premiere and watched the night show.Toby was delighted that Clifton, disregarding his other clients, had come to see him.When Toby's performance was over, the two of them entered the hotel's day and night cafe. "Did you see all those famous people there?" Toby asked. "When they come to my dressing room, I'm sick of it." Clifton smiled at Toby's enthusiasm.It was a stark contrast to his other frazzled clients.Toby is a little tiger, a cute little tiger with blue eyes. "They know genius," Clifton said, "and so does Oasis. They want to do you a new deal. They want to increase your six hundred and fifty dollars a week to Mondays." Thousands of dollars." Toby put down his spoon. "A thousand dollars a week? That's very nice, Cliff!" "I arranged two talent scouts at the Reu Hotel and the Ireland Branch Hotel." "Already arranged?" Toby asked cheerfully. "Don't get excited. It's just a little trial," he smiled. "It's nothing new, Toby. To me you're a redhead. To you, you're a redhead—" But are you still a red man for a red man?" He stood up. "I still have to catch a plane to New York. Tomorrow I have a direct flight to London." "London? When are you coming back?" "After a few weeks," said Clifton, leaning forward, "I tell you, my dear boy, that you are here for two weeks. Think of it as a school. Every night you Gotta be on stage and I want you to know how far you've come. I've talked O'Harron and Linegle into staying here. They'd love to work with you day and night. Make good use of them. Rand Leigh will be back at the weekend to see if everything is going well." "Okay," said Toby, "thanks, Cliff." "Oh, I almost forgot," said Clifton Lawrence casually.He pulled a packet from his pocket and handed it to Toby. Inside the small bag is a pair of beautiful diamond cufflinks in the shape of stars. When Toby has free time, he goes to relax around a swimming pool at the back of the hotel.Twenty-five girls, and often a dozen from the chorus, took part in the play.They often sunbathe there in their bathing suits.They appeared in the hot noon, just like the first flowers, one more beautiful than the other.Toby never had trouble dealing with the girls.However, what happened now was a completely new experience for him.These showgirls had never heard of Toby Temple before.However, his name appeared on that huge tent.that's enough.He was a star and they fought for the privilege of sleeping with him. The next two weeks were wondrous for Toby.After he woke up around noon, he went to the dining room to have breakfast, and at the same time he was busy signing autographs for people.Then, rehearse for an hour or two.When everything was done, he would take one or two tall beauties to the swimming pool.They would also come to his apartment and play on the bed. Toby also learned some new tricks. But Toby was in no hurry to know their names.They are all "baby" or "baby". During the last week of Toby's contract with the Oasis Hotel, a man came to visit him.Toby had finished his first show and was taking off his make-up in his dressing room.At this moment, the manager of the restaurant opened the door and came in, lowered his voice and said to him, "Mr. Al Caruso welcomes you to his table for dinner." Al Caruso is a well-known figure in the city of Las Vegas.He owns a restaurant outright.And, according to legend, he owns shares in two or three other restaurants.He was also rumored to be close to some mobsters.However, this has nothing to do with Toby.The important thing is that if Al Caruso likes Toby, he can often come to Las Vegas to make appointments for performances in his life.He hurriedly finished dressing up and rushed to the dining room to meet Kailuso. Al Caruso was a short man in his fifties, with gray hair, sparkling light brown eyes, and a slightly large belly.He looks a bit like a miniature Santa Claus.As soon as Toby approached the table, Caruso stood up, took his hand, smiled warmly and said, "I'm Al Caruso. I want to tell you what I think of you, Toby." Bi. Please sit down and talk." There were two other people at the same table as Kailuso, wearing dark clothes.Both were very large men, and during the entire meeting, they drank only Coca-Cola and did not speak a word.Toby didn't know their names at all.Usually Toby had lunch after the first act.He was very hungry now, but obviously, Kailuso had already eaten, and Toby didn't want to show his interest in food.Relatively speaking, meeting this big man is more interesting than eating. "I'm very impressed with you, boy," Caruso said, "very impressed." He gave Toby a sideways look with his mischievous brown eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Caruso," Toby said cheerfully, "I'm very honored." "Just call me Al." "Okay, Al, sir." "Your future is bright, Toby. I have a lot of people coming and going here, but talented people last. It should be said that you are talented." When Toby heard this, his whole body felt warm.He immediately considered whether to tell Al Caruso to negotiate a contract with Clifton Lawrence.However, Toby decided that it might be better if he signed the contract himself.If Caruso really liked me that much, Toby thought, then I'd do a better deal than Clifton Lawrence.Toby made up his mind and asked Al Caruso to make an offer first!Then he will bargain with him again. "I'm thrilled," Caruso said to Toby. "Your prank comedy opener is the funniest thing I've ever heard." "It's really flattering me for you to say that." Toby said seriously. The little Santa laughed and had tears in his eyes.He took out a white silk handkerchief and wiped away the tears.He turned to his two bodyguards and said, "Did I tell you he's a funny man?" The two men nodded. Al Caruso turned his head to Toby again: "Tell you why I came to you, Toby." It's a magical moment, and he's entering a golden age.Clifton Lawrence was somewhere in Europe now, where Clifton was supposed to close the deal for his client.But that was all well and good, Lawrence would be surprised when he returned. Toby leaned forward, smiled happily and said to Al, "I'm at your command, Al." "Millie loves you very much." Toby blinked.To be sure, there was something wrong with what he said.The old man looked at him with twinkling eyes. "I—I'm sorry," said Toby, bewildered. "I don't understand. What are you talking about?" Al Caruso smiled mildly. "Millie loves you very much. She told me." Millie?Is it Caruso's wife?Is it his daughter?Toby was about to speak, but Caruso stopped him. "She's a wonderful girl. I've been with her three or four years," he turned to the two. "Four years?" The two men nodded. Al Caruso turned to Toby again: "I love this girl, Toby. I'm absolutely swooning over her." Toby felt the blood rushing up his face. "Mr. Caruso—" Al Caruso said, "Millie and I made a deal. I don't lie to her except about me and my wife; she tells me everything and doesn't lie to me." He looked at Toby, This time Toby saw something in his chubby smiling face that made his blood run cold. "Mr. Caruso—" "You know something, don't you, Toby? You were the first to make her lie to me." He turned to the two at the table again. "Is that true?" The two nodded. When Toby spoke, his voice trembled. "I—I—I swear to God, I didn't know Millie was your girlfriend. If I knew a little bit, I wouldn't touch her. I'd stop a mile away from her , Mr. Caruso—” The little Santa looked at him and said, "Al, you can call me Al." "Al." The voice said the word awkwardly, and Toby felt the sweat running down his arms. "Look, Al," he said, "I—I—I'll never see her again. Never. Believe me, I—" Caruso kept looking at him: "Hi! I don't think you're listening to me." Toby resisted. "Listen, I'm listening. I'm listening to every word you say. You don't have to worry—" "I said, this girl loves you very much. If she needs you, then I can let her have you. I am willing to make her happy. Do you understand?" "I—" Toby was dizzy.For a while, he did think that the man sitting across from him was seeking revenge, but on the contrary, it seemed that Al Caruso really wanted to dedicate his girlfriend to him.Toby was amused and almost laughed out loud. "Jesus, Al," said Toby, "really, what the hell are you doing?" "Depends on what Millie wants." "Oh. See what Millie wants?" "I know you're a jolly guy," Al Caruso said.He turned to the two at the table and said, "Did I tell you that Toby Temple was a jolly fellow?" The two men nodded and drank their Cokes in silence. Al Caruso stood up, and the two men followed suit.Stand one beside him. "I'm here to organize the wedding myself," said Al Caruso. "We're going to rent that big ballroom at the Hotel Morocco. You don't have to worry about anything. I'll do everything." Toby seemed to be listening to these words from afar, and the words came to his ears suddenly like a gust of wind.Although he remembered what El Caruso said in his heart, he couldn't understand it at all. "Wait a minute," protested Toby, "I—I can't—" Caruso patted Toby on the shoulder hard. "You're lucky," Caruso said, "I mean, if Millie hadn't convinced me that you two really loved each other; if I thought you were treating her like some cheap whore, Then the whole thing would have turned out very differently. You know what I mean?" Toby found himself involuntarily looking up at the two men in black, who nodded at the same time. "Your show here is over on Saturday," Al Caruso said. "Let's just put the wedding ceremony on Sunday." Toby's throat was dry. "I—I—this thing is—Al, I'm afraid I have some appointments left. I—" "They'll wait," the fat face smiled again, "and now I'm going to get Millie a wedding dress myself. Goodbye, Toby." Toby stood there.Those three figures had disappeared for a long time.Toby was still looking in that direction in amazement. He had no idea who Millie really was. By the next morning, Toby's fear was gone.He didn't mind the unexpected thing that happened yesterday, because this is no longer the era of autocracy.If he doesn't want to marry someone, no one can force him to marry.Al Caruso is not a lowly, domineering rogue, he is a respectable restaurateur.The more Toby thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed.The more he kept adding branches and leaves, the more interesting he found it.Of course, he was never intimidated by Caruso.But what if he did say that he was intimidated: I got up and walked over to this table where Caruso and the six goons were standing there?They're all bulging around their waists, they're probably carrying guns, and oh yes, that would make a good story.He could even make this into a fun show. For the rest of the week, though, Toby avoided swimming pools and nightclubs and all the girls.He wasn't afraid of Al Caruso, but why take unnecessary risks?Toby had thought about flying out of Las Vegas at noon on Sunday, but he had changed his mind.On Saturday night, he rented a car and had it driven to the open parking lot behind the hotel, where it waited for him.Before he went downstairs for his last gig, he had packed his bags so he could fly to Los Angeles as soon as the show was over.He plans to avoid Las Vegas for a while.What's more, if Al Caruso is really serious, then Clifton Lawrence will come forward to mediate the matter. The show that Toby closes is very moving.He won a full house, which was the first time for him. Standing on the stage, he felt the wave of applause from the audience, and felt an indescribable joy in his heart.The audience asked for another one, and he did it again, before scurrying upstairs.These three weeks were the most memorable in his life.In this short period of time he has gone from being a little guy to a big star who is hooked on Al Caruso's mistress.Pretty girls are vying to share his bed with him, audiences welcome him, and big restaurants want him.He's got it all, but he knows it's just the beginning.He took out his door key and was about to open the door when he heard a familiar voice. "Come in, boy." Toby walked slowly into the room.Al Caruso and his two friends were already in the house.The back of Toby's spine went numb.However, it is not a big problem.Still smiling, Caruso said, "You did a great job tonight, Toby, you did." Toby breathed a sigh of relief: "The audience here is so nice." Caruso's brown eyes twinkled and he said, "You make them good viewers, Toby. I'm telling you, you're a genius." "Thanks, Al." He wanted them to leave right away so he could be on his way. "You work hard," Al Caruso said.He turned to his two followers and said, "Didn't I say that I haven't seen anyone working so hard, have I?" The two men nodded. Caruso turned to Toby again and said, "Hey -- Millie kind of blames you for not going to her. I told her it was because you were too busy at work." "Yes," Toby replied quickly, "I'm glad you understand me, Al." Al smiled gently and said, "Of course, but you know, what I don't understand is why you didn't call to find out when the wedding will be held." "I'm going to ask in the morning." Al Caruso smiled and asked in a questioning tone, "Did you call from Los Angeles?" Toby felt anxious for a while. "I don't understand what you're talking about, Al?" Kailuso stopped laughing, with an obvious tone of dissatisfaction and threat: "You packed your boxes." He played with Toby's face and said, "I've already told you. Who To hurt Millie, I'd put him to death." "Wait! For God's sake, I didn't—" "You're a nice boy, but you're stupid, Toby. That's what geniuses are, I suppose, huh?" Toby looked at the chubby face with a half-smile, and didn't know what to say. "You have to trust me," said Al Caruso in a low voice, "I'm your friend and I won't allow bad things to happen to you, but it's for Millie's sake. But if you don't listen to me, What can I do? Do you know how to make a stubborn donkey obey?" Toby shook his head and said nothing. "Give him a few boards first, so that his head is sober." Toby felt a wave of fear set over him. "Which arm do you use better?" Caruso asked him. "My—right arm," Toby muttered. Caruso nodded friendly, then turned to the two men and said, "Break it." From one of the two people, an iron rod covered with a layer of rubber appeared from nowhere.The two began to approach Toby step by step.Suddenly, a sense of fear was like a river flooding suddenly, which was uncontrollable, causing his whole body to tremble. "For Jesus' sake," Toby said, dazed, unconsciously, "you can't do that." One of the two gave him a slap in the stomach.Immediately afterwards, the iron rod hit his right arm, and he suddenly felt a sharp pain that pierced his bones.He was knocked to the ground, curled up in pain.He wanted to cry out, but couldn't.He looked up and looked at Al Caruso with teary eyes.Caruso stood there, smiling down at him. "Have I reminded you enough?" Caruso asked him gently. Toby nodded painfully. "Okay," Caruso said, to one of the two men, "open your pants." The man bent down and unzipped Toby's trousers.He used the iron rod in his hand to pull out Toby's genitals. Caruso stood there looking at it, and then said, "You're lucky, Toby. You're a sure-fire donkey." Toby was scared to death. He had never been so scared. "Oh God...please...don't...don't...don't do this to me," he yelled. "I wouldn't hurt you," Caruso told him, "because you were good to Millie and you were my friend. But if she told me you did anything to hurt her—anything —do you see what I mean?" He kicked Toby's bruised arm, and Toby screamed in pain. "I'm glad we got to know each other," Caruso smiled. "The wedding is at one o'clock." Toby felt that he was going to lose his self-control, and Kailuso's voice was only faintly visible in his ears.However, he knew that he had to persevere. "I—I—can't—" he sobbed, "my arm..." "The arm is fine," Caruso said. "A doctor is coming to see you. He's going to look at your arm and put some medicine on it so you won't feel any pain. Someone will come get you tomorrow." You are ready, ah!" Toby lay there, like going through a painful nightmare.He looked up at the smiling face of this Santa Claus, unable to believe that such a thing could really happen.He saw Caruso's feet and moved toward his arms. "A-definitely," he moaned, "I-I'll be ready." He lost consciousness.

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Notes: