Crazy Sunday

Crazy Sunday Summary | Part 1 Summary

Joel Coles is a young screenwriter trying to make it big in Hollywood. Since arriving six months ago, he has tirelessly worked to impress the studio executives with his work. He's so committed that he typically works on Sundays, which he describes as simply a gap between Saturday and Monday, rather than spend the day relaxing or going out. Joel is working on the screenplay for a Eugene O'Neill play that is rumored to star a famous Hollywood leading lady. The director, Miles Calman, has been pleased with his work so far, and Joel is confident that his career is about to take off.

On this particular Sunday, however, Joel is preparing to attend a tea he has been invited to attend at Miles Calman's home. Joel is flattered to have been invited and is sure that it is a sign that things are moving in the right direction for him. Further, he is sure that some of Hollywood's biggest players, including Greta Garbo and Marla Dietrich, will be there.

As he prepares to leave, Joel makes a promise to himself that he will not drink. He recently overheard Calman voice his displeasure at those who do. Joel thinks that abstaining will be a good way to make a good impression.

When he arrives at Calman's home, Joel is pleased to see that there are only two other writers in attendance. One is described only as an "ennobled limey" and the other is Nat Keogh, the writer whose drinking habits drew Calman's criticism.

Joel keeps his promise until Calman's wife Stella puts a drink in his hand. Joel notes that Stella is lingering near him, rather than circulating amongst all of her guests. Looking for something to say, Joel remarks how everyone in Hollywood seems to put so much energy into making sure they are seen with the right people and hoping that their competitors make mistakes, a sentiment that Stella agrees with. As they continue to converse, Stella periodically introduces Joel to several people, in a manner that makes Joel feel quite important.

Noting that Stella has recently had a baby, Joel remarks that new mothers are particularly vulnerable and need unqualified devotion to reassure them that they are still charming and desirable. Stella replies that she does not receive anyone's unqualified devotion, a fact that Joel attributes to everyone being afraid of her husband. At this moment, their conversation is interrupted and Stella leaves to talk to her other guests.

Joel watches Stella to see if she spends as much time with others as she did with him. He wishes that he could just sit and talk with her as a person, rather than as an important director's wife. Buoyed by a newfound confidence, Joel decides not to spend the afternoon with the safe people he knows, but instead to spend it mingling and speaking with people he doesn't know very well. As he crosses the room, he takes another drink before sitting down next to Miles' mother. When Joel remarks to Mrs. Calman that her son has become quite a Hollywood legend, he is mildly surprised to learn that Miles' mother had always believed her son was destined for greatness.

Soon after, Joel finds himself at the bar with Nat Keogh. Nat tells Joel that, although he makes a lot of money, he has hired a manager to deal with his finances. Nat explains that he has a gambling problem, which the manager helps to keep under control. Nat finds a certain irony in the fact that he is responsible enough to make enough money to need a manager, yet he is irresponsible enough to have the manager. When their conversation is interrupted by the strains of music, the two men go to listen to the performance.