Then, magically, the aeroplane lifted into the air, wings tilting one way, then the other, as it went up, up, up, shrinking until it might have been a bird, or an insect, and then not even an insect but something in Pin’s eyes that made them water.

NEVER DONE BEFORE! THE WORLD’S FIRST LADY OF THE AIR

The end titles flickered. The screen went blank. Pin opened her mouth to say she’d gotten a cinder in her eye, but Glory moved closer, her lips soft against Pin’s cheek as she whispered, “It makes me cry, too.”

Pin turned her head, and for an instant their mouths touched. Through slitted eyes she saw Glory staring back at her, smelled her sugary scent mingled with that of burning dust as Glory’s lips pressed against her mouth and Glory’s tongue flicked against Pin’s lower lip.

“Hey! None of that, you kids!”

Glory drew back, cheeks aflame, while Pin laughed, giddy and confused.

“I mean it!” Gus pounded on his table so the coin changer jingled. Pin knew he wouldn’t bother to heave his bulk from his stool, but she nodded.

“C’mon,” she said, and took Glory’s hand.

They hurried out through the back door, the leaden sky blinding after the Comique’s cool darkness. The rain had stopped, but the air felt dank as a wet sponge. Glory looked at Pin and started to laugh. Pin began laughing, too, the two of them doubled over like they were at a Chaplin movie.

Finally, Glory caught her breath. “Lookee here, I need to get back. And we never even went for that book…” She appeared crestfallen. “Aw, Lionel will kill me.”

“I’ll find it, don’t worry,” Pin said. “I’ll bring it when I come to the studio for—you know.”

They both burst out laughing again. Then, “You better not ever get caught,” Glory warned her. “They’ll send you to Detention House.”

“I won’t get caught. Besides, it just looks like a packet of cigarettes.”

“Not if you smoke ’em.”

“Well, who’s smoking ’em? Not me.”

Glory gave her a smile that seemed equal parts admiration and worry. “I suppose you’re just braver than me, Pin.”

When they reached the park’s exit, Glory stopped. “Lookee, I’ll be working till late tonight, doing that bathing-contest movie. So if I’m not in the costume shop when you come to see Lionel, just come find me on the stage.”

Pin nodded, unsure what to do now. Shake hands? But Glory had already turned to race for the streetcar, one hand raised in farewell, the other clutching her hat.

Chapter 73

Chapter 73

HE WATCHED HER chew the lozenges, waiting for his chance. It came when a thin curtain of rain descended across the trash-strewn lot. The girl stared stupidly at the sky, rain spotting her gingham dress.