THE ACCIDENT

       Alice Boland, shortened from Polaski, that ex-Hollywood super star drives her old Cadillac by her forty-year manager Pop Singer who is slightly injured by a sport car driver Ted Kyros, an exchange student from Greece.

       With her green alligator falling out of the right window she begins to pout at Ted .

       "Young man, you almost killed me this night of the night of the re-release of my classic film, made  after the war and shot around here."

        Pop Singer puts out his face and says in a Brooklyn accent, "Everyone looks shot around here."

         Ted looks a bit embarrassed and turns to Alice and Pop.

        "Sorry I didn't see you."

         Alice is in a nervous rage, a tiny wine glass falls from her handbag.

         "Good looker, don't you know that I am Alice Boland, Hollywood's forever young legend. I can hear by the tone of your voice you are not a native."

          "I am Ted from Athens. My parents are exiles left during the military coup and we stayed here; they teach at Berkeley".

         "Well, Theodore, this is Pop Singer my manager came from Brooklyn, his father was from Germany, live in Tulsa, where my last hubby was into oil."

          " You got soaked by it."

           Pop Singer gets out of the car, smooths his grey hair and takes a pill for his heart condition.

           "What do you think of meeting Alice Boland in the flesh, now that you know who I am."

            "Everything is new every day out here."

             Alice tidies herself up in the now broken car mirror as she makes a grand bow.

             "Seeing you almost smashed into me, I'd like to ask a favor from you. I need an escort at the rerelease of my film, "Star Struck." It's the least you could do, Teddie, leave your car in the parking lot. Pop always comes to my rescue and Teddie, you are now here to save the day."

               "Whatever you say... Alice."

               "Isn't Teddie a love."

               Pop Singer in his Tarzan sweatshirt only laughs. Theodore, looking tanned under the hood of his car does not mention his own acting games and takes his chance with Alice, though he thinks the whole episode rather American- bizarre.

Along the highway Alice puts on old blush she found in her garage, gazing through the mirror at Ted and speaks loudly to Pop,

               "Can't you just see the headlines, Pop...Alice Boland seen with a handsome Greek stud, and the story continues, son of professors and famous Greek exiles. You must run something up for me, it may even make "Variety."

                "You havn't been in "Variety" for twenty five years".

                "I was a million dollar star."

                "Until you squandered all the do re mi...like on that heart-shaped pool you bought on swamp land."
             
                "You don't remember Mr. Sadoff discovering  me. How I dreamed and my wishes came true as Miss Oklahoma."
             
               "That's all you ever made."

               "Shut up, Pop, keep driving. This is a miraculous day for my astrological chart. Ted you are doll. What sign are you, honey."

               "Virgo."

               "I get it. I use to do charts at lunch at the defense plant and we all wanted to be stars. Pop if your dad did not come here you'd be in one of those concentration camps."

               "Alice, let me just concentrate on the road."

                "Pop, I'm sorry, you've always rescued me in so many of my life situations. I'm so excited to see Mr. Sadoff again at my reception with all the college boys and girls and to view the new print of my film."

                 "Alice, I don't feel that too well. Too long a ride for me."

                 "That's nothing new. It's just that pace maker that gives you all the trouble."

                  " I have a rapid heart beat."

                  "You're sweating in your  Tarzan tee shirt. Please don't go on me, not tonight."

                  "I took a pill on the road but I still don't fee good."

                  "Stop the car. I'll have Ted drive us. Maybe we can drive Pop somewhere, I don't have the heart to leave him on the highway."

                   "He needs a doctor Alice. He looks sick.  He is out like a light.I will call up an ambulance."

                    "I need help too,Teddy boy. Pop doesn't think he can make it. Here is the ambulance. Pull over, let Pop out, he is a survivor, he's been in worse jams, Pop understands the show must go on. Remember his father lived in Hitler's times."

                      The couple drive away. Ted senses a raw coldness in Alice, but she warms up against him.

                      "I like a big man and a big car."

                      "I'm not that big."

                      "Not now. I don't like men who talk a lot."

                       "Forgive my English."

                       "You' ll do fine. I lost my son Larry somewhere in Asia, he volunteered but he really ran away from me."

                        "I don't like Uncle Sam"

                        "I hope you're no Commie."

                        "We all feel like exiles some time."

                        "You and Pop came over in the same boat. We're all American now but I had to change my daddy's name. It was Polaski. Who can remember. Sadoff pulled all the strings. That the building. Drive up in the front. There are the cameras and the paparazzi."

                           Alice and Theodore arrive to speak to the students before the film showing and Ted recognizes Iris Sadoff who is in his acting seminar.
                         
                           "This is Iris Sadoff, she's in my class."

                           "Looks like Saul. Here he is. Oh Saul. Thanks for the invitation. This is Ted, my escort."

                           "Where is Pop Singer?"

                           "He's indisposed."

                           "I hope you are sober, tonight, Alice. How goes it?"

                           "Since my last husband died and then Larry... I wish you could give me a character part."

                            "Actually I'm looking for a young actor to play opposite Iris. The film is on political intrigue in the Balkans. Ted, are you free this week to take a screen test."

                            "I'm in Iris' class at university."

                            There are a few photographers taking pictures of Iris and Ted after a prompting from Saul Sadoff who walks on the platform and introduces Alice before the film.

                            "I am Alice Boland of "Star Struck". Any questions?   Iris andTed are on the couch Ted will not respond to Alice who is inebriated and  talking irrationally.

                              "I need money for gas. Me, Alice Boland. Imagine!"

                              "But where is Pop Singer."

                              " I will try call him, Saul. Call me. Saul about a future part. I brought some old photos for the film students."

                               "They are no longer star struck."


THE END