Henry Locksley's Letter to Martin
Dear Martin,
Everyone seems to be travelling except me. I hope you're all enjoying yourself.
How are you doing? I'm not asking for any secrets, Martin. I'm certainly not asking whether Isabella really did rescue the King of Siam! But, I know you needed to travel for health reasons, and I know Darla and Isabella were both worried about you, and so am I. (1)
(Honestly, I was worried about them as well, particularly Isabella, but I see you've found them a good chaperone. Thank you.)
Also, where do you stand with your job? Is Mr. Jenner still holding it for you?
Do you still want that job? If you don't, I can find something for you here. (2)
How is Bangkok, the parts you can tell me about? Isabella tells me that there's a Buddhist temple on every block. Darla tells me it rains a lot, but also that this is because it is the rainy season.
I've closed the deal on the orange groves. Richard Cooper, my business partner, is a bit morose, as the woman he'd hoped to marry has broken it off with him. Better she did this now than later, of course. He went down to Mexico City, as she went there with you, Darla, Isabella, and their chaperone, but I don't think the trip cheered him up. Is he a friend of yours? (3)
Depression or no, they're still finding ways to make movies. I saw Artists and Models. It had Jack Bennie and Ida Lupino. (4) Before that, I saw Topper.
I suppose that's all the news here. It probably seems a little boring, but I don't have Isabella's cravings for excitement.
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Footnotes:
(1) Subtext: Please, please, PLEASE don't tell me anything I don't want to admit I know. But, do tell me if you've recovered from the drug addiction, especially if you can do that without actually mentioning the drug addiction.
(2) Subtext for these two paragraphs: Whether or not he's your lover, Mr. Jenner probably doesn't have infinite patience. If he is your lover and you're trying to get away from him, I'll help. And, while I'm not admitting I know any of that, this isn't a bad part of the country for someone like you to be living.
(3) Subtext: Do you want me to try to keep Richard out of trouble or to let him make his own mistakes, or do you not care one way or the other? (And, oddly, this has nothing to do with Martin's sexuality.)
(4) Seriously. It opened 4 August 1937, and there are clips here: http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/223999/Artists-and-Models-Movie-Clip-Illustrators-Rube-Goldberg.html
