It was still dark when Teddy pulled his 1958 D Model Porsche Speedster to a stop in front of Peter and Hattie Barrington’s house. He skipped up the front steps and rang the bell.
Peter Barrington opened the door. “Come in, the gang’s all here. The TV’s on and they’re about to start.”
“Relax. It’s the technical awards first. They don’t get to the real thing until five-thirty.”
“I’ll be sure to tell lighting and set design what you think of them,” Peter said dryly.
Teddy followed Peter out onto the veranda, where Hattie was sitting with Ben and Tessa.
Peter’s wife, Hattie, was a gifted composer and pianist, and had scored Peter’s latest movie, among others.
Ben Bacchetti was the head of the studio. He was also Peter’s best friend of many years. Their fathers, Stone Barrington and Dino Bacchetti, were also best friends.
Tessa Tweed Bacchetti had come to the studio as an aspiring young actress. She was now a star, and Ben Bacchetti’s wife.
Teddy had been in England for Peter and Hattie and Ben and Tessa’s double wedding. The young newlyweds were only partly aware of the role he had played in seeing that it went off without a hitch.
“There he is,” Tessa said. “I told you he’d be here.”
“Sorry I’m late,” Teddy said. “Someone tried to rob me.”
“Rob you?” Ben said.
Teddy shrugged. “Rob me or kill me, I’m not sure which. The police are asking him now.”
Tessa grinned. “Would you stop being so maddeningly casual? You may take these things in stride, but robbing and killing are not really that routine.”
“Well, I certainly hope to learn more about it, but the police have taken it out of my hands. The burglar couldn’t get through Mike Freeman’s security system, but he sure set off enough alarms. The poor guy never knew what hit him.”
“I’ll bet,” Ben said.
“But don’t let me spoil Oscar nominations morning. I was just explaining why I was late.”
“The only thing that could spoil this Oscar morning,” Hattie said, “is having a nervous breakdown waiting for it.”
“Who’s nervous?” Peter said. “No one’s nervous.”
“No one, I’m sure.” Hattie smiled teasingly. “Has anyone else noticed who hasn’t sat down once since everyone arrived?”
“I’m the host,” Peter said. “I’m greeting my guests.”
“I can attest to that,” Teddy said. “I arrived. He greeted me. He was a little concerned by my tardiness, but I wouldn’t characterize it as being nervous.”
Peter put up his hands. “Yes, yes, we can all play it cool. But it is the Oscars. Before they get going, let me say this.”
Peter took a breath. “I think it’s great we could get together this morning to celebrate our film. But while awards are nice, that’s not why we do this. We’re not out to win awards, only to make good movies. If we can do that, and turn out a film we can be proud of, we don’t need outside validation. We know we’ve done a good job. You all know how I feel about you, and awards or not, I’m very pleased with how this all turned out.”
“Well, that’s gracious and self-deprecating,” Ben said with a grin. “In case you don’t remember, your picture just won a Golden Globe. An Oscar nomination is not such a long shot.”
“It won for Best Drama,” Peter said. “At the Globes you’re only competing with half the films. There’s a strong field of comedies this year.”
Hattie laughed. “Would someone nominate him already, before this naysayer ruins the whole party?”
Hattie got the first nomination for Best Original Score. The announcement was cause for jubilation. Hattie had been passed over by the Golden Globes. Peter had reassured her that the Golden Globe voters weren’t necessarily the most knowledgeable of the category, and Oscar voters would know better. He was delighted to have been proven right.
“What did I tell you?” Peter said.
“Oh, God,” Hattie said. “Now we’re going to have to listen to him take credit for my nomination all morning.”
Peter had his own nominations to brag about. He scored two, for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director.
Finally they got to the acting categories. Best Supporting Actor was first. Stuntman character actor Mark Weldon got a nod for his turn as villain Leonard Kirk.
“Too bad he’s not here,” Teddy said, and everyone laughed.
There was a tense moment when they got to Best Actress. None of the first four names were Tessa Tweed. For the first time all morning, the room was deathly quiet.
“And Tessa Tweed,” the announcer said, “for Desperation at Dawn.”
The announcement was met with relief, laughter, and applause.
“Told you so,” Teddy said
“You realize this ups her price for your next film,” Ben kidded Peter.
Peter smiled. “What are you telling me for? You’re head of the studio.”
“Oh, hell.”
After all that, it was almost an anticlimax when the film was nominated for Best Picture.