Myra-Breckinridge-Gore-Vidal

30I sit now at the card table. Through the window I can see theturning chorus girl in front of the Chateau Marmont; only sheis not turning. A power failure? are they making repairs? oris she at last being dismantled? The question takes onsymbolic importance since she is, to me, Hollywood. Shemust never not be allowed to dominate the Strip. Rusty didnot appear at school today. I would have beendisappointed if he had. But what did distress me was Mary-Ann's absence from Posture. She has never before missedone of my classes. Discouraged and uneasy, I rang MissCluff to see if Mary-Ann had attended the Bell TelephoneHour class. She had not, "I haven't seen hide nor hair of her.But you know how girls are. It's probably her time......"Belllike laughter from Miss Cluff. Next I rang the girls'dormitory. The matron told me that Mary-Ann had notreturned the previous evening, and she had already made areport to Buck. I confess I was terrified. Had Rusty told herwhat had happened? I could not believe it. Masculine pride(no matter how damaged) would have prevented him. Buthe still could have told her something which had made herleave the school... and me. I had a sudden vision of themtogether in Mexico, growing marijuana, utterly happy. Thethought was too depressing. Also, I reminded myself,impractical since he is on parole and may not leave L. A.,much less cross the border. Matters were not much helpedwhen I received a call from Buck's office to see him at five. Ifound him looking altogether too pleased with himself. With