Again I want to apologize for how long it actually took for me to get chapter nineteen completed and posted. I had some personal issues that popped up and got in the way, but its all taken care of now and I hope I don’t have a hold up like that in the future.
For me, chapter nineteen is basically a turning point in both the lives of Vylette and her cousin Lorraine, because by the end of it, both girls are engaged to Michael and Marlon Jackson. In chapter eighteen Michael proposed and presented Vylette with a stunning pink diamond ring, the specs of which are explained to Vylette in the opening sequence of chapter nineteen. A twelve carat pink diamond and two carats of white ones all from Zanzibar (present-day Tanzania) and crafted by a jeweler at Cartier.
As the young couple decides to go across the hall to tell Marlon and Lorraine if this life altering development, a scream shatters the morning. The two rush in and find Lorraine out cold on the floor with Marlon at her side.
The brothers have thought alike and Marlon has also popped the big question to his redhead. The shock was so much, she fainted.
Marlon has also given his bride-to-be an extravagant ring, mounted with diamonds and emeralds.
Lorraine’s ring was a source of aggravation for me. While I found Vylette’s ring in a matter of hours, Lorraine’s unusual ring took a longer amount of time. Initially the ring was supposed to have a sapphire, but since she wears green so frequently, I changed it.
I stayed on Pinterst and looked at hundreds of rings.
I actually started a pin board on Pinterest just to have and compare jewelry. You’ll see a lot of green and its all for comparison specifically for Lorraine.
Though the weddings are chapters away, I am actively hunting diamond rings for them NOW.
After Marlon gets a yes out his lover and body slams a bellboy, the chapter shifts to a scene preceding the Gala.
Though the two will see each other in mere minutes, Michael has sent Vylette a gorgeous vase (I said it as “vah-se” in my head) with white roses.
I had no other reason for this, besides the fact that it seemed like a sweet, loving gesture from Michael to Vylette. It seemed like something he’d do.
I looked at several vases done in an Art Nouveau manner, because I always like to keep Michael’s sensibilities and style hinting at yesteryear, rather than a faster paced, more modern Art Deco which was less focused on nature (like the silver roses) and more on geometric clean lines. I considered having Lorraine treated to flowers but I disliked most of the Deco vases I found so it was omitted. You will see Marlon and Lorraine use more Deco once they marry and move to their own home. But that’s another chapter.
I’ve been holding onto this dress for months eagerly waiting to use it for the Gala. I was going to use it in its original color for the scene but I changed it to ice blue to kind of poke fun at how Country Clubs are full of generally snobby, icy people. Plus the blue would be a nice change from all the purple she’s usually in .
(These are NOT a set, I just happened to find them together!)
I accessorized with aquamarine jewelry. I don’t know why, but in the 1920s and 30s, it was a was an extremely popular gem. I actually personally own an aquamarine choker from the 1960s that belonged to my grandmother.
Vy’s hair is based on a real style Myrna Loy wore around the same period. Lorraine’s hair is similar, but without the spit curls. I used to actually dislike style from the 1930s because I thought all the women looked the same with bobbed hair and all, but with research, the myth was debunked and I see variety. Vylette admires herself before a mirror and feels she can tackle the Club and be a Belle on Michael’s arm.
Lorraine enters, wearing a skimpy green dress.
I borrow from Jean Harlow as often as I can and I sat on this dress for months also. I added the fur lined wrap as a show of wealth and in general most ladies wore them, even if the weather was warm because it was dictated by custom.
Lorraine has also had more emeralds thrown at her, in cabochon form.
The pieces are not a set, I was just lucky to find them. There is no actual bracelet, I just made it up.
The girls go on downstairs, where they meet up with the Jacksons.
I went through several colors of tuxes from white to blue to red, before deciding on GREY.
The Gala was a black-tie affair, hence a sea of black suits at the club. I never want the Jacksons to blend, always stand out and break the trend.
Its how Michael was in real life and how he’ll be in fiction. Way until you see the lulu of a getup he wears to his theatre opening!
I made a point of having pins on Michael echo Vylette’s jewelry, pounding home the idea the two are a pair. (this will become more and more important as the storyline progresses)
(The coloring is slightly off, but both are aquamarine pieces...)
The men are floored by their lovely dates and heads turn as they escort them out to their limousines.
I chose a 1929 Duesenberg model because I wanted even the cars they rode in to stand out.
On the ride, Michael again airs his ardent distaste of Sir Reginald, but refuses to state exactly why. When all is revealed you’ll be stunned!
Michael changes the topic to the revelation dinner for the next night. (and next chapter)
The making of the Fleur de Lis Country Club was a task in itself. I’m not a country club girl by any means, and the closest I came to one was the kitchen of the one my mother cooked in when I was a child.
I knew going into this, I wanted the club to be masculine in appearance and modeled it after an English Manor house.
I really loved how this driveway was, but did not use the house pictured.
This is the actual building that is the clubhouse for the story. I believe it's called Cliveden and is in England.
I played on this with the characters. Most of the female club members are rather young, in their twenties with much older lovers/spouses. (Don’t forget there’s an eight-year age gap between the Jacksons and the girls, also.)
I made the interior look old and ancient, to be a juxtaposition with the beautiful young females running in and out of it.
The grand ballroom was based on elements from two separate rooms. I wanted a two story ballroom, but still dark, meshing with the rest of the décor.
The girls are swiftly pulled away from their men and escorted around apart from them before being placed at a table with the most popular members of the club. (these will be some of the central players in the club crowd, along with their spouses/lovers)
All of the women introduced in this chapter are actually based on real actresses from the 1930s, who unfortunately lost when I chose Myrna Loy to base Vylette’s appearance on.
Lady Tabitha, is of course based on Joan Blondell. It’s revealed she has a daughter by Sir Reginald, eight year old Lady Isabella. (she will be a Lady when she grows up, its her title.) Tabby is not English, or American, but rather a Canadian.
Eliza Young is based on a young, blonde Bette Davis. Eliza is a widow with a ten year old daughter, Hortensia Jane. She is intelligent with a sharp tongue. Though not shown in the chapter she’s dating a prominent horse breeder and all around ninny, Kip Douglass. She’ll obviously wear the pants in this union, like Bette in real life.
Barbara Newcomb Walters is the wife of Robin Walters IV, heir to a newspaper fortune founded by his grandfather. Marie was not my first choice for Barb. I initially was going to use actress Zasu Pitts, but decided she wasn’t pretty enough. Especially since Robin is based on the late Robin Williams as he appeared in “The Dead Poets Society”. Also, the beauty of all the women will add fire to a scandal later in the story. Barbara is struggling with the weight she gained and never lost after the birth of her twins, Robbie and Vera, 10. I know I pound home the idea of rounder figures for the women in this era, but as always, someone was trying to lose weight. And to be honest, Marie’s career ended, because she was too “fat”.
Zelda Cormier is the wife of prominent Colored doctor Elias Cormier. I added Zelda because I wanted a Black character you see as Black and know as Black. She is a self made woman, one of the few college educated women in the club, Black or White. (think of them as a 30s version of the Huxtables) I wanted to portray a smart, sophisticated woman of color because up until then, the only “dark” skinned woman you see is Adelaide who is a maid. It’s not that I didn’t want to have more characters of color, its that just until now, I’ve been able to find and have access to research materials to help me. So more “dark” skinned characters of al walks of life will appear. The Fleur de Lis is an integrated club. Zelda is mother to three children, two boys and a girl.
There are a few more members of the club who will appear at social functions in upcoming chapters. Just consider them on vacation at the moment.
In the midst of the cajoling and joking and admiration of the women, Vylette is lonely for Michael, whom suddenly appears and takes her and Lorraine away.
This was the last shock I wanted to have, the brief introduction of Charlie Chaplin’s character.
I initially wrote a big deal for about chapter 16 where Chaplin calls the Jackson home, speaks to Vylette and discloses he will attend the premiere of his film “City Lights” after all. But I never could get it to work, and thus omitted it. Again, Chaplin was only supposed to be a cameo, at the premiere and surprising Michael. But I changed my mind. The more I looked into Chaplin and his work and life the more he intrigued me, and I did want to give Michael something he never had in real life--a friendship with Charlie Chaplin. (Chaplin was well into his 80s when he died in December 1977 when Michael was only 19. As of 1931 in the RIH universe, Michael is only 25 while Chaplin is a much younger 42. It‘s feasible they could be friends.)
And this only adds to the Jacksons notoriety and will make them the toast of both New Orleans and Rainelle Parish. Especially sine Chaplin postpones a date in London to be in New Orleans. Chaplin did have children at the time in 1931, but had been married and divorced by then. I’m still figuring the extent of his role, but it will be exciting.
Well that wraps up the chapter explanation. Chapter 20 is coming, with the revelation dinner and whether or not Kathleen will be able to handle both of her girls on the verge of marriage. And once the news spread there’s sure to be trouble from a hulking young man still recovering from his last ass-kicking.
MORE IS ON THE WAY! THANK YOU FOR READING!
No comments:
Post a Comment