Crypt 33 by Adela Gregory Read Free Book Online Page B

the hurts returned when good-nights were exchanged, again reminding Norma Jeane of how her husband disappointed her. He was supposed to be loyal. There he was in the Pacific sharing his bed with a strange woman, she rationalized—he must have been!
    Jim had always wanted to make love every day, sometimes both in the morning and in the afternoon. What was he doing tonight? Norma Jeane was certain he was enjoying another woman’s sexual gifts. And the thought infuriated her. But she suppressed her anger and made excuses to go to another bar. The boredom of being alone would be squelched by being in the company of so many attentive, desirous young men. Norma Jeane liked her “treats” and carefully picked the ones who looked as though they were richer than the rest. She wanted to ensure that her performance went neither unnoticed nor unrewarded. The retaliation was part of the reward, but the bonus was comforting. Jim Dougherty was getting his just desserts. And Norma Jeane vowed she would never depend on him again.
    Her visits with Aunt Ana Lower were good for her. Ana continually persuaded her to dream, pumped up her self-confidence, and encouraged her to take chances. During the workweek, Norma Jeane felt safe and secure in the elder Mrs. Dougherty’s home. Jim thought she was protected too—his mother would be watching her every move.
    Norma Jeane became increasingly resentful that her husband was gone most of the time, and she made arrangements to move in with Aunt Ana. Her newfound freedom gave her even more confidence.
    Still employed by Radio Plane Company, Norma Jeane started to save her money. She played cards on the weekends and won many times, too. Dauntless confidence in her sexual desirability may have been the aphrodisiac that drew sudden opportunity to her.
    In the wartime effort, actor Ronald Reagan, serving in the First Motion Picture Unit for Hal Roach Studios (then called “Fort Roach”) in Culver City, was looking for fresh faces. He assigned photographer David Conover to help with the search. In the plant Conover noticed Norma Jeane bubbling with enthusiasm, and she was chosen to be photographed that day. The cameraman had her change clothes and took shots of her outdoors. Norma Jeane loved the attention and Conover was inspired by her girl-next-door look—the girl the GIs would want to come home to—and by her natural modeling ability. Even the developer at Eastman Kodak remarked on the sensational photos and complimented Conover on his work.
    One photograph was published in the military magazine Stars and Stripes . Norma Jeane proudly showed Aunt Ana the results of her first modeling job and was assured by her aunt that she was indeed a photogenic young lady.
    Another modeling stint was waiting for the ingenue. Conover scheduled another session and advised her to quit her dreary job for a career in modeling. He wanted to shoot her first portfolio, as it was obvious to him she would be needing one.
    Emmeline Snively was a smart businesswoman with an eye for new talent. David Conover had done work for her company, the Blue Book Modeling Agency, many times. The offices were situated in the landmark Ambassador Hotel in the mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles. The twenty-three-acre parcel was landscaped with luscious gardens and fountains. The hotel grounds included tennis courts and a health club. Many politicians and celebrities vacationed at the Ambassador, which housed the Academy Awards ceremony each year in the Coconut Grove. Built in 1919 and lavishly decorated in rococo, the Ambassador identified the Hollywood of the twenties. (Strangely enough, the location of the start of Marilyn’s career was the same place that marked the end of one of her lovers. On June 6, 1968, Robert Kennedy was assassinated at this same hotel while making his bid for the presidency of the United States.)
    Norma Jeane knew that she had “arrived” as she passed through the