I moved to Los Angeles in the spring of 1992 to become an actress. I had no money, contacts or connections, just a heart full of dreams and a spirit filled with ambition. I moved into a tiny studio apartment right in the heart of Hollywood. I felt that I was on my way, and I was excited!
EXCERPT – Chapter 1
The morning sun sparkled high in the sky above Los Angeles, and the summer heat had not yet fully invaded the curious world known as Hollywood. A cool, coastal breeze drifted in from the Pacific Ocean, so the infamous L.A. smog was not going to permeate the atmosphere too severely. The traffic at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and La Brea was typical, bumper to bumper and road rage simmering from tempestuous drivers. But, it was made even worse today by the arrival of a large moving van in front of the building.
The Franklin Regency was a five-story dwelling that loomed on the southwest corner of the crossway, halfway between the sparkling wealth of the Hollywood Hills and the sordid madness that was Hollywood Boulevard.
Everywhere beautiful, young people with fabulous faces and perfect bodies — every single one of them a struggling actor, model or something or other, trying to keep the bitterness at bay — jogged, walked dogs, hurried to auditions and roller-bladed. While the homeless (and other un-lovely denizens of ‘paradise’ almost equal in number) who had long ago lost the spark of life, seemed to blend into the background, completely ignored and snubbed by the bronzed gods and goddesses scurrying to an audition for a laxative commercial.
Awe-filled and often-disappointed tourists took it all in, recording it on film and video for the folks back home, wherever that may be. In the bright, mirrored lobby of the Franklin Regency, however, all was cheerful and sanguine. Rhonda McNutt talked excitedly on a pay phone to her father back in Cordova, Tennessee. Rhonda was nineteen, beautiful, and in the process of moving into the Franklin Regency Apartments.
“Yes, poppa, the truck just got here.” She spoke into the receiver with her thick Southern drawl. Outside, the large van containing all of her worldly possessions had pulled up to the curb. Rhonda had driven out to Los Angeles the week before, and was still in shock that she was actually here. She looked vigilantly around the lobby, at the longhaired rocker guys covered with tattoos, the sexy, gorgeous blondes, and the older men who could not resist winking at her as they passed by. She knew she was in a whole new place, but that didn’t matter. She was in Hollywood, and she was determined to be an actress. I’m here, and I’m going to make it! I’m going to be a star!
“All right, poppa, I’ll call you as soon as the phone is turned on…I love you too, poppa. Bye.” She gently hung up the phone, and waited for Marina Edwards, the apartment manager. An older woman stepped out of the elevator, clad in a severe dark business suit, and walked purposefully towards the front door.
She turned and gave Rhonda a nasty look, then stepped outside, chatting deliberately into a cell phone. Rhonda sat on a pink plush couch and waited while the moving men began to unload her furniture. She stared up at the famous James Dean poster on the wall. ‘The Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ was the caption underneath. Not for me, Rhonda thought, my dreams of Hollywood stardom are going to come true. She had dreamt of being a movie star since she was five, and nothing was going to stand in the way of her goals. Finally, the elevator doors opened, and Marina stepped out, accompanied by a tall, beautiful redhead.
“I’m glad this place is centrally located, my agent says I need to get to my auditions quickly.” She told Marina curtly, glancing down at her watch.
“We’re just fifteen minutes from Burbank and Warner Brothers, and five minutes from Hollywood and Paramount.” Marina explained. The girl pursed her lips and gripped her designer handbag.
“Well, I’ll think about it. I live in Pasadena now, and my agent is on my case about being late to auditions all the time. Things are starting to happen for me, and my agent tells me that I need to be close to the studios,” she said a little too loudly, glancing over at Rhonda to make sure she overheard.
She thrust her hand out to Marina, who smiled. “I’ll call you.” The girl turned sharply on her heel and headed out the front door, not without sneaking a quick glimpse of Rhonda. She gave Rhonda an uppish glance, and darted out the door.
“Marina.” Rhonda jumped up and cheerfully bounded over to her.
“Hey you! Come on in.” Marina unlocked the office door and the two of them ambled in. Marina was in her late thirties, blonde and beautiful, with very white teeth and an enormous smile. The two women had met a few days before, when Rhonda noticed the ‘Now Renting’ sign out front as she was driving around. Marina had leased her a single apartment on the first floor, and now it was time to go over little details. The moving men were placing Rhonda’s things in the lobby.
“Apartment 122, right?” Marina smiled sweetly. She smelled of Noxzema and peppermint chewing gum.
Rhonda was so excited she could barely contain herself. My God, I’m really here!
ABOUT CITY OF TOYS
What would you do to become famous in Hollywood? In City of Toys, four beautiful women confront that very question. It takes more than just looks to make it in Tinsel Town, as they soon discover. The city brings them together as roommates and the hunger of fame lures them into situations that they never expected. Through a series of intertwined yet separate events, City of Toys takes us from the naive optimism of the girl’s hopes and dreams to the sordid Hollywood underworld. Relying on one another helps get them through the Hollywood maze but will their friendship be enough to save them?
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/City-Toys-Lindy-S-Hudis-ebook/dp/B00BM4SENI
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/City-Toys-Lindy-S-Hudis-ebook/dp/B00BM4SENI/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/City-Toys-Lindy-S-Hudis-ebook/dp/B00BM4SENI/ref=sr_1_5/157-4575632-0470230?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1476112450&sr=1-5
CONNECT WITH LINDY
Book Gorilla: http://www.bookgorilla.com/author/B009PODN24/lindy-s-hudis
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/city-of-toys/id605881920?mt=11
DO YOU WANT TO BE A GUEST POSTER ON MY BLOG? – If so please check out this post first which goes through details of what is needed. Then just leave a comment a) letting me know you have read the post and are interested, b) confirm the topic of your article (or if you want an interview) and c) which deadline date you want.
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Thank you to Lindy for speaking out about her experience regarding what she went through in Hollywood. Those of us who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse often find it hard to talk about what happened.
It takes a lot of heart to share stories and I thank Lindy for helping to continue to shine the light on this insidious issue.
To those who have suffered, you are not alone. You have nothing to feel shame or guilt for. You are stronger than you realise.
On a side note, I just want to say a big thank you to all of your kind messages following the sad passing of my beloved cat Marvel. It is heart-breaking to lose a member of the family but we take solace that both myself and my partner were both with her at the end.
Happy writing.
Ari
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About Ari Meghlen
I’ve been a writer since I was given unsupervised access to pens and am unable to write anything shorter than a trilogy. I (now) live in sprawling Northern Ireland which is greener than the green parts of England with my awesome boyfriend and our demon cats.
I spend my time lost in imaginary worlds, running my online jewellery shop, taking nature photos or watching bad movies.
Feel free to say hi, leave me a comment either here or on one of my other social media pages. I love hearing from you 🙂
It is sad that ‘tinseltown’ Hollywood has such a seedy underside. It is easy to fall under it’s ‘glamour’.I’m glad Lindy made it through intact.
Thank you, I’m glad too!