23 Sahara Knights

Conversations with Rodolfo by Hala Pickford

 

Release date: December 1st, 2009

Author: Hala Pickford

Publisher: 1921 PVG Publishing

ISBN: 0981644031

Excerpt at Google Books

E-Book for Kindle and Nook as well as other reading devices

Price: $21

Pages: 248

 

About

 

Silent film legend and icon Rudolph Valentino died unexpectedly at the age of 31 in 1926.  His sudden death launched a type of mass hysteria that had never been seen before.  For many decades it almost seemed his death overshadowed his life, complete with an 83 years running memorial service.

 

Some argue that it was a shame for him to die so young, while others are certain talkies and the depression would have done away with his fame anyways.  Still others are certain he could have gone on to some icon like status without an early death, ala Chaplin or Louise Brooks.

 

This got Miss Pickford to thinking...what if indeed Rudy had not died in 1926 yet lived a long life?  Would it have been for the better?  Or for the worst?  Would his fame have continued?  Or would he have ended up lost in time?

 

Synopsis

 

After losing his job, 20 something reporter Michael Johnston discovers something incredible.  The girl he has been seeing, Gloria,  is the granddaughter of the film star Rudolph Valentino! 

 

Amazed to find the 100 something year old star still living Michael asks if he can interview the man who now calls himself "Rodolfo".  Despite Gloria's protests Rodolfo is eager to tell his story, which spans the Roaring 20s to the present day.  Both Gloria and Michael will soon discover there is a lot no one knew about this iconic actor...

 

Excerpt

 

@2009 Hala Pickford

 

“So what happened when you got to France?” Michael asked.  Once again at Rodolfo’s the interview had resumed.  As Rodolfo had warned Norma had taken a shine to Michael, when he arrived there was a fresh baked apple pie waiting for him, his favorite.

Rodolfo thought a moment then began, “Ah yes France!  We arrived at Natacha’s parents home as I assumed that is where she would be.  See I was looking for trouble young man!

George and Nita were both hesitant about it, but I think they thought it was economical and might shake me of my obsession.  Natacha’s aunt, her name was Teresa she was there.  I loved Teresa very much; she was like my own aunt!  She had tried to mend the bridge between me and Natacha during our divorce, and I think it was she who sent Natacha back when I was recovering.

Teresa seen me and she shouted my name and was so sweet.  She invited us all to stay while we figured out our mess.  After a big lavish dinner she took me aside out on the porch and said, ‘Rudy there is something you must know about Natacha.’ 

After everything in Germany and Italy I immediately became frightened, certain something bad had happened to her.  I was like a man crazed insisting, ‘What?  What happened to my beloved?!”

And she held me and she said, ‘Rudy, Natacha married again a few months ago.’”

“Wow that must have been a terrible shock.  How did you take it?”

Rodolfo smiled a little, “Well my dramatics probably put Pola’s to shame!  I don’t even remember my full reaction honestly.  I screamed and then everything just went black.  It was a horrible blow to me.  I locked myself in Natacha’s room and cried for hours.” He paused for a moment, the smile now gone, “It’s…it’s honestly still quite hard to talk about now.”

“Are you okay?” Michael asked concerned.

Rodolfo quickly recovered, “Yes…yes I am fine now!  I’m an old man, no need to cry over it now!  But then.  Oh then!  My heart was broken.”

“How long did you stay locked in her room?”

“4 days.”

“4 days!  You didn’t eat or anything…or even…the bathroom?” Michael was shocked.

“Nope!  I just…I was in shock.  I had lost the love of my life again.  Every few hours Teresa or Nita would come to the door and try to make me come out and eat something or even just talk…but I would not!  I had lost my love!”

“Who did she marry?” Michael asked gently.

A look of disdain came over Rodolfo’s face, “Oh some young thing…some guy who was not very good for her.  Imagine the Great Lover replaced by…by…by that!”

“Did you ever meet him?”

“Once.  They had been on their honeymoon and were planning to stop and visit Teresa before they headed back to Spain where they were to live.  I think it was…maybe 3 months after we arrived.”

“How did you take it?”

Rodolfo banged his fist on the stand beside him, “About as well as I took the news!  Nita was finally able to coax me out. She had the magic words she shouted through the door, ‘Rudy I have a bottle of gin and a bottle of scotch.  Come out and join me!’

I was probably quite a sight!  But Nita was so kind she did not say anything, she just hugged me and we went out on the porch and drank.  We didn’t even really say anything.

I think I spent the next month just in a blur.  Everyone they talked to me like someone had died; ‘Poor Rudy how are you today?’ they would say.  Except Nita bless her soul!  I don’t think I ate much or anything…I was just a man lost.

One night George came in to see me after everyone had gone to bed.  He said that we should go into the city for the next week and put our minds back on work.  I told George that I did not ever want to work again…you see by that point I was certain pictures must have ruined my life.  HA!  Maybe I thought everything had ruined my life!

But he was so persistent…he probably spent 20 minutes trying to talk me into it!  And I finally asked, ‘George why do you insist so?’

And he said, “Look Teresa thought it was best I didn’t tell you but Natacha and HIM…”

            “If you don’t mind me asking…what was his name?” Michael asked hesitantly.  None of the books he had found mentioned it.

Rodolfo thought a moment, looking extremely agitated, “Alvaro.  His name was Alvaro.  I don’t like that name. 

But George said to me, ‘They are coming here later this week.  I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be here during their stay.’

I thought about it a moment, and honestly I probably should have thought it through better but I spoke with my heart when I said, ‘No I want to stay here.  I want to make sure she…she is happy.’  George fought with me for it about an hour but I refused to leave!  So we stayed.”

“Wow that was quite brave!”

“Or foolish depending how you look at it.  I just…I really did want to know she was okay.  I never cared for anyone like I did my Natacha.

The next morning I shaved for the first time in forever and I asked Nita to go into the city with me as she had wonderful taste.  We bought them a wedding gift, a painting for their home.  I spent a fortune on it but I wanted Natacha to know how well I was doing…even though my movie was going nowhere.  I don’t think I had any sense of time or money at that point.  The…the 30s were not good that much can be said.”

“What happened when they arrived?”

“I didn’t sleep all night the night before they arrived!  I finally snuck to Nita’s room and took a bottle of wine.  I slept very late but they were still not there yet.  I don’t think I ever tried so hard to look good in my life!  I put on my best suit, and the bracelet that Natacha had gave me right before we divorced.  I loved that piece, she had designed it herself you know.  But…it hurt too much at the time to wear it.

Nita came in with another bottle of wine and asked, ‘Are you sure you don’t want to go into town today?’  She tried to give me one more chance to leave but I did not take it.  I said no I was fine.  About 7pm the doorbell rang…and they came in.

I watched them from my doorway.  He was an ugly man…personally I never understood what she seen in him!” 

Rodolfo paused a moment, “Oh and she…she was so beautiful.  She had her hair in a braided bun and she was wearing a blue and white dress.  She always looked so graceful and beautiful…like a Goddess.”

“Were you nervous?”

“Are you kidding!?  I was VERY nervous I almost could not breathe!  Nita she found me and helped me down the stairs.  It was like a dream.  I looked at Natacha and she looked at me…”

            Rodolfo paused again.  Michael was worried he had pried too far, “Rodolfo are you okay?”

“Yes I am fine, I am fine! 

She said, ‘Rudy…it is good to see you!’ and she hugged me.  I didn’t think she would be so forward in front of him but she was.  And Natacha she was quite a reserved woman…surely she loved me in her own way to react like that.  She introduced us and we shook hands.  Despite how I feel I was very nice to him.

We sat down to dinner and I was almost certain I would not make it through.  I had to squeeze Nita’s hand under the table.  You know…she told me later she wished Natacha had not come over at all.  Nita was probably one of the only women to ever befriend Natacha but after our divorce I think she took to protecting me.  Maybe I did need it…maybe I owe Nita more than I realize.

Small talk was started, you know the ‘How was your trip?’ and such.  Natacha seemed as upset as I was, I wonder even now if anyone had told her I would be there.  We were sneaking glances at each other while others talked.  Her eyes said more then she probably ever could.”

“Did you make it through the entire evening?”

“No.  Teresa asked how their honeymoon had been and he started talking.  Natacha she was just silent.  I was okay until he began to kiss her hand.  I excused myself and Nita followed, but I sent her back.  I just wanted to be alone.

I just sat there for hours.  I did not cry…but I don’t think I had ever felt so down since our divorce.  I went out to the balcony of my room and honestly…I thought about it.  About jumping or ending it somehow.  What was life with no purpose be it wife or career?  I’m not going to lie…I think I was very close to jumping when there was a knock on my door.  It broke my concentration and oddly I decided to answer it, since I just wanted to be alone.  It was Natacha.”