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excited about it. It’s the best test, bar none, I’ve ever seen.”
    “Excuse me, but I’m baffled. It’s only been what, four hours, since we did that thing.”
    “Good news travels fast in this town,” Swims said. “Let me tell you a little about us: we’re made up of a group of younger agents who left CAA and ICM to form our own shop, and we’ve got a very hot list of clients. I’d like very much to make you one of them.”
    “Mr. Swims…”
    “Fred.”
    “Fred, I’m not an actor, really I’m not. I’m a lawyer, and I don’t even live out here.”
    “You will soon, Stone, trust me. Can I ask—I hopeI’m not prying—what is your real name, the one you were born with?”
    “The one I’m still using.”
    “Are you serious? That’s amazing! I couldn’t have come up with a better one myself, and I’mvery good at bankable names. You know what Vance’s name was, don’t you?”
    “No.”
    “Herbert Willis.” He held up three fingers, Boy Scout-style. “I swear to God.”
    “That’s fascinating,” Stone said, trying not to offend the man.
    Swims stopped shaking his hand, took him by the arm, and steered him a few feet away from anyone else. “I’ve got to tell you what a test like this and a role like this can mean. We’re talking the biggest bucks here, and I’m not kidding.”
    Stone laughed. “Lou Regenstein tells me I’m too old to be a star.”
    “God forbid I should contradict Lou, but the mature leading man isin right now—look at Harrison Ford—Christ, look at Clint Eastwood! The man is in his late sixties! And you’re what, thirty-eight?”
    “I’m forty-two.”
    Swims leaned forward and spoke conspiratorially. “Promise me that number will never pass your lips until you’re fifty,” he said. “That number will be between you and me; you’re thirty…well, in your late…in yourearly late thirties.”
    “I promise,” Stone said gravely.
    Swims slipped a card into Stone’s jacket pocket. “I want you to call me tomorrow morning, early, and we’ll do lunch and talk about what the future holds foryou. Believe me, it’s very bright, but I don’t want to impose on my host’s good nature by talking business in his house.” He gave a Boy Scout salute and wandered off in pursuit of a waiter.
    Stone was finally able to find Betty Southard, who was still talking with the only other unaccompanied woman in the room.
    “Hello,” Betty said warmly. “Stone, this is Arlene Michaels of theHollywood Reporter.”
    “So you’re the newactor in town,” the woman said, shaking hands. “I’ve heard about your test.”
    Stone shook his head. “I think that test is going to turn out to be a great embarrassment,” he said.
    “My dear, whyever would it be embarrassing? I saw Fred Swims buttonhole you. He’s tops, you know; you couldn’t do better for an agent. Your dreams are about to come true.”
    “I’m afraid my dreams don’t run in that direction,” Stone said. “I’m a lawyer, and I like to confine my acting to the courtroom.”
    “Well,” Betty said, “thatis where you’ll be doing your acting. They’re working overtime tonight to build the set; the scene wasn’t scheduled for another three weeks, but I guess Lou Regenstein really wanted to get you into that part while you’re here.”
    Stone was surprised. Regenstein had told him that the scene had already been scheduled for the next day. “I’m baffled by the whole experience,” Stone said.
    Arlene Michaels suddenly produced a notebook. “It’s two r’s, is it?”
    “That’s right.”
    “And you’re a New York lawyer?”
    “Right again.”
    “You used to live with Arrington, didn’t you?”

    “I live in my own house,” he replied. “Arrington and I are good friends.”
    “Well, ‘good friends’ can meananything in this town,” she said, scribbling away. “This your first movie part?”
    “Oh, yes.”
    “You sure?”
    “I think I’d remember if I’d been in a