The Fatty Arbuckle case (1962)

Al's invitation was a complete surprise to Virginia. "When would we get back?" she asked. Al said they could return whenever she wanted to. No mention was made of Arbuckle. Virginia consented on condition they give her a couple of hours to prepare. When she hung up the phone she said to her aunt, "I'm going to drive to San Francisco with Al and some people. Maybe I can pick up some clothes up there." Al had made no mention of money he had for shopping, however. Her aunt's only comment was that Al was a crazy driver and she should tell him to be careful. Virginia had driven to many studio appointments with Al, so she wasn't worried. Arbuckle called Al and was told Virginia would come along. Arbuckle was delighted, and after he hung up did a little jig outside the telephone booth. Bubbling over with good spirits, he cautioned Maude about wearing a hat so that she wouldn't get more freckles. They parted on the corner of Wilshire and Vermont after Arbuckle gave Maude some expense money to be given to Al. Al picked Virginia up first. He had a new deck of playing cards in his pocket with Virginia's picture on them. She was to get a royalty from their sale. He had arranged the deal. She looked at the pictures on the back of every card, though the photos were all duplicates. It put her in a good mood. She wore a skirt and blouse, with a delicately embroidered white sweater over the blouse, which was opened at the neck. She carried her hat. Al's convertible was green. So was his slip-on sweater. They talked about the circus that had come to Los Angeles and the fact that actor Monte Blue had played with the snakes for the still cameras. Virginia shuddered. Maude lived with three other girls in a modest twofamily wooden structure on Fairfax Avenue. She wore a tight-fitting, maroon, knitted wool dress. Maude was upset because she had no overnight bag and her large suitcase had a broken lock. She showed great mock surprise 23