“I don’t know.”
“Maybe you’d have found that harder to say. Maybe everybody would have found it harder to watch. Better not to tell people what the picture is really about. That’s how they work. How would you feel now about Convoy? Knowing what you know today?”
Another glance to his lawyer, Bunny still, staring ahead.
“I guess I’d ask to be taken off the picture. If, like you say, it wasn’t good for America. All my pictures, I’ve always thought they were a hundred percent American.”
“Mr. Marshall, no one here is questioning your loyalty. We’re just concerned that some people might use it for their own ends. Maybe you need to be a little more careful in the future. Not just say the words. Think a little bit about what’s behind them.” A school principal to a truant.
“Yes, sir.”
Dick lowered his head slightly. Ben thought of him climbing into the fighter cockpit, eager to take on Japan, and saw that the nod had been the real point of the testimony, a kind of salute to the new commander at the long table.
“Anyone else on the committee have a question? If not, I think we can take a short break. You’ll be available to us later, if we need you?” he said to Dick.
“Congressman, I’m here to help. I believe in fighting for America— and not just in the pictures.”
Ben glanced across at the press section. Everyone was scribbling but Ostermann, his eyes fixed on Minot.
“That was fine,” Bunny said to Marshall. His lawyers were gathering up papers from the witness table.
“Nice to say that about my pictures. Seeing them over there.”
“What he said was that he was in the Pacific and you weren’t. That’s all anybody heard.”
“Still.”
“Never mind, you were fine. The fight line was good. They’re all going to use it.”
“I meant it.”
“That’s what makes it so convincing,” Bunny said, not missing a beat. “I didn’t know where he was going with the 4-F, but it was fine.”
“Where he was going?”
“Well, we don’t want anybody poking lights in your ears, do we? Anyway, it’s done.” He put a hand on Dick’s shoulder. “Polly,” he said, spotting her.
“Dick, that was wonderful. Wonderful. Read the column tomorrow,” she said, patting him. “You’re going to be very pleased.” She turned to Bunny. “I have a bone to pick with you.”
“Oh, Polly, a very small bone, I hope.”
“You promised me an interview with Liesl.”
“And you’ll get it.”
“When, after the picture opens? I thought she’d be here today. Why isn’t she?” she said, her voice pointed now. “You’d think she’d want to be here with Dick.”
“Polly, she’s shooting. Some of us have to work. Of course she wanted to be here. She also wants to get the picture out.”
“You mean you do.”
“Because I’ve seen it. You won’t believe how good she is. Bergman.” He held his hand up, being sworn in. “Have I ever lied?”
Polly laughed. “You? No. You don’t have it in you.”
“A heart to heart, I promise. The kind you like. Just let her finish.”
Polly waved this off. “See where I’m sitting? Right next to the Other Mann. Maybe I’ll get him to ask. Somebody with influence.”
“Call my office in the morning. I’ll have Wendy set it up. Anyway, I thought you were doing Dick.”
“A companion piece. You should want this,” she said, tapping Bunny’s arm. “It makes her more American. Especially after today. I could tell Ken was pleased. It’s a great thing he’s doing.”
Bunny watched her trail after Dick, then turned to one of his assistants. “Where’s Rosemary? I thought she was supposed to be here.”
“Rosemary?” Ben said.
“She hasn’t been served yet,” the assistant said.
“That’s funny,” Bunny said, frowning, a detail out of place. “Go call and see what’s up.”
“Why Rosemary?” Ben said, walking out with Bunny.
“He can’t lean on Schaeffer all week. Where’s that going to get him? Murmansk?”
“Where’s Rosemary going to get him?”
Bunny looked at him. “Stay out of this.”
In the hall, people huddled in groups, smoking. Dick Marshall posed for a few more pictures. Ben made a circle, looking for Ostermann, and instead saw Henderson, leaning back against a fire extinguisher.
“What are you doing here?”
“Sure,” Henderson said, reaching into his pocket. “Right here.”