Broadway and Hollywood "Movies" (Jan - Aug 1934)

38 ‘MOVIES" The Road to Ruin ( Continued from page 13) this baby stuff. Don’t let it throw you. Smart girl. 1 can see where we’re going to have some swell times together. Say, do you know that Tommy’s all hot and bothered about you?’’ said Eve. “I kinda like him too” answered Ann dreamily. And so from her chum Ann received her first knowledge of liquor and cigarettes. Through the worldly Eve’s sophistication she learned of love and the more intimate things of life — things her mother s bi >ii Id have told about and discussed frankly with tier, for Ann was at a dangerous age. \n age when the sexual instincts of early vi manhood were beginning to awaken, waitng only for an opportunity to manifest themselves. It is particularly during the dawn of sear maturity that young boys and girls need the sympathetic guidance of their parents. < * * * * Tommy was waiting for Ann the next afternoon after school. Catching sight of him parked in his battered Ford, Ed called: “Hey, Tom.” ‘"Sorry pal . . . not going your way today.” ”1 catch on . . . but if you need any help Tom . . . send for me,” answered Ed, knowingly. “Okay, boy, . . . scram.” Tommy caught sight of Ann walking down the street with some school chums. ‘‘Let me have the last half of that Latin . . . page 65 . . . the last half of the page” one of them was saying. They parted, saying ‘‘Goodbye, \nn . . . see you tomorrow.” "Ann, Ann,” signaled Tommy, ’Tve been waiting for you ... I sorta hoped you'd let me drive you home.” “Thanks, that’s nice of you,” replied Ann, seating herself beside Tommy. Instead of driving Ann home directly, Tommy turned off on another road, and soon they were driving in the country. Tommy stopped the car, and said : "Sorry 1 didn’t take you home?” "No, It’s lovely here,” she answered breathing in the country air. “Gee, Ann, you’re sweet.” said Tommy gazing at Ann’s turned up face. ‘‘Do you like your Uncle Tommy just a little bit?” He paused for a moment, and then suddenly he said : “Look.” “Where,” asked Ann, bewildered. As she leaned her head back, Tommy suddenly kissed her. Ann was startled and confused. Tommy’s arm was about her slender shoulders holding her close to him. “Tommy, you musn’t.” Ann blushed with “Movies” 1450 Broadway New York, N. Y. I enclose $2.00 (check, cash, express or postal money order) for which send me your magazine for 2 years (24 issues). Canada and foreign, 2 years, $3.00. Name Address confusion. She was flattered by Tommy’s attention and thrilled by his love-making. With a sigh she closed her eyes and rested her head back on Tommy’s arm. She could feel his warm breath upon her cheek as he bent over her and pressed his warm lips upon her own. For a delicious moment Ann did not resist Tommy’s ardent caress. A strange new emotion stirred deep within her young heart — an unaccountable conflict of awakening desires and maidenly fears. Ann put Tommy gently from her after the brief, forbidden moment. “All right, baby, I’ll be good.” said Tommy softly. Neither had given a thought to the passing moments and the sun hung low in the west before Ann became conscious that she should have been home an hour ago. “Oh Tommy, it’s getting late ... 1 must go home.” “Okay, lady, you’re practically there. Say, how would you like to go out to the Lake Friday night?” “Oh, I . . .” hesitated Ann. “Oh, sure come on . . .” urged Tommy. “We’ll get Eve and Ed and the four of us can have a swell time. Aw, come on.” “Well, all right.” It was nearly dark when Ann reached her home. “Your father will be home any moment and I wish you’d set the table,” Mrs. Dixon called from the kitchen. Ann went about her task. A faint blush mounted to her cheeks when she thought of Tommy and the way he had kissed her. It had aroused vague unknown emotions within Ann — emotions that quickened her young blood and filled her heart with a great hunger. . * * * Friday night found the two young couples ensconced comfortably in two canoes that Tommy and Ed bad rented to use on the lake. Their canoes drifted side by side. The night was balmy and a full moon cast its silvery reflection upon the still waters. Tommy produced cigarettes. “Have one?” he offered Ann, as he lit his own. “No, no, honey, look,” he showed her how to inhale correctly. “Gee, Ann, you're sweet!” “Hey, you eggs, where are you?” called Ed from his canoe. "Here we are,” answered Ann. “Buddy, can you spare a drink?” inquired Ed. “Quit hoarding and crack out that injay,” exclaimed Eve as Tommy produced thebottle. “Women a/id children first!” cried Tommy as he took a gulp. As Eve and Ed both took long drinks, and Ann too, Tommy laughed : "Children, hey, watch out, you’ll kill it!” “Come on, boy friend,” said Eve, pushing away from Tommy and Ann’s canoe. “Let’s go places and do things . . . the companybores me.” “You’ll pardon us, I trust . . . unfinished business . . . you understand,” and Ed winked knowingly. "Glad to get rid of you,” retorted Tommy. "Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do.’’ called Eve as they floated out on the lake. “How about a Hide walk?” suggested Tommy. The two got nut of the canoe, and seated themselves on a grassy knoll. “Look at that moon ! .-aid Ann dreamily. “I’d rather look at you. Gee. honey. I’m crazy about you!” "Really, Tommy?” For reply Tommy drew her close to him and kissed her warm, responsive lips with all the fire of his desire. His more amorous nature had been aroused by liquor and the same influence quickened Ann’s blood and weakened her resistance. The balmy night, the moonlit waters and the shadows of the wooded shore was a romantic setting in which youth would respond to youth. Ann surrendered herself to the spell of the moment. In the abandoned intoxication of the moment she responded to her youthful lover's passion and yielded herself to him completely. * * * * Mr. Dixon paused in the hallway to brush a spot of powder from his coat before he joined his wife. “Hello, Ann not home yet?” “Why no, and it’s after 11 o’clock. Do you suppose anything’s happened?” "Of course not! Kids never know what lime it is. Stop worrying, and come to bed. * * * * It was past midnight when Tommy stopped the car before the Dixon home. Ann’s eyes were red from weeping and although she had managed to control her emotion during the ride back from the lake she was strangely silent and subdued. At first the evening had seemed one of terrible tragedy to Ann, but Tommy had pleaded earnestlly with her. had told her he loved her and said something about marriage as soon as they were old enough. After her first abandoned outburst of emotion, Ann had been more than half convinced by Tommy that she had done no great wrong after all. Love was a part of life and they had an undeniable right to love each other. “Aw Ann. honey, don’t, please don’t,” Tommy was saying. “Ann . . . Ann, don’t be like that . . . please ... I don’t know what to say . . . Gee. 1 wouldn't have. done anything to hurt you for ... 1 do love you. Ann ... 1 love you . . . please don’t hate me for what’s happened!” "It wasn’t your fault, Tommy. Good night. Tommy.” “You don’t hate me?” Ann kissed him quickly and went into the house. * * * * With summer came the end of the school term and vacation time. Warm balmy nights that witnessed the utter destruction of Ann Dixon's innocence. Tommy’s Ford made it easy for them to seek lonely spots miles distant from home. The "Lodge” was a notorious roadhouse not far from the city limits where a motley assortment of pleasure seekers gathered for an evening’s entertainment. Liquor could be obtained if one was known and had the price. There was a jazz orchestra and a good dance floor. Whenever Tommy could afford it, he took Ann to the Lodge, and usually Eve and Ed went with them. Of late, Ann had been looking at Tommy through questioning eyes. One evening at the Lodge, Tommy was very drunk. He grew extremely boisterous, and when Ann tried to quiet him. he became very disagreeable. She was disgusted with him and resolved that this wa"s the last time she won It City and State