THE GLITTER GAME

Random House Australia - ISBN 9781741665994

The Logies Awards, Australian television’s equivalent of ‘The Oscars’, are in full swing. The audience is seated at dining tables and the Best Actress Award is about to be announced.

‘…and the winner is…’

The tearing of the envelope, a flash of perfectly capped teeth and a girlish giggle from the American ‘special guest’ presenter…. ‘Edwina Dawling!’

The spotlight hit Edwina and there was a roar of applause as she rose from the table. The approval was genuine – she was idolised by the public and admired by her peers. But there were no spontaneous pats on the back or cries of ‘Wonderful, Darling!’ as she made her way to the stage. Edwina didn’t invite effusive behaviour. She remembered everyone’s name, from actors, directors and crew, to wardrobe, hair and make-up, but no one was ever ‘darling’ and, with the exception of a gracious handshake, she was physical with no one.

‘Congratulations darling.’ The make-up was heavy and the American woman looked fifteen years older close up. Her mane of hair brushed Edwina’s face as she kissed her on both cheeks, and the air was thick with Patou’s Joy.

Edwina kept her smile remote and waited patiently for the woman to break the clinch. What show was she from – ‘Dynasty’, ‘Dallas’? Edwina really couldn’t remember, they all looked like Barbie dolls to her.

‘You must be ecstatic.’ Another girlish giggle and the woman backed nervously away. She was out of her league and she knew it. Edwina felt a flash of sympathy for her as she stepped forward to the podium.

Her acceptance speech was short but not brusque, gracious but not patronising and grateful but not humble. She knew she looked good. Her black hair gleamed, swept up and away from the flawless face, and her gown clung to her tall, lean body, a picture of elegance.

There was another burst of applause as she left the stage and the MC walked into the spotlight to plod his way to the commercial break.

The night continues. ‘The Glitter Game’ receives the award for Best Drama Series, and Edwina is surrounded by well-wishes as the big award approaches.

‘…the Gold Logie for the Most Popular Television Personality in Australia…’ Again the tearing of the envelope, ‘…and the winner is…’

Edwina was suddenly aware that she was holding her breath. She’d taken it for granted that she’d win the Gold but now, this instant, she realised how much she wanted it. She wanted it desperately.

‘Edwina Dawling!’

As she rose to her feet, so did the entire audience. The standing ovation gave her time to regain her composure. As she started walking slowly towards the stage, applause thundering in her ears, she glanced around the tables. This time the walk to the podium seemed to take forever and she could distinguish every face at every table she passed, despite the spotlight that followed her every move.

There were some, she knew, who bore her ill-will, and from the sea of smiling faces she could single out the four who most certainly had reason to. She could feel their hatred as she passed. Jane, her brittle smile frozen. Alain, trying to dredge up the enthusiastic bonhomie that always clinched his deals, but with eyes as dead as a shark’s. Paul, not even attempting to hide his loathing. And Liza, waiting beside the stage with an expression that was strangely gloating. Edwina experienced a chill of fear. Something about the woman unsettled her.

Too late to worry about that now. The stage lights hit her and she turned to face the sea of people. Flashbulbs popped and the moment was hers. Little did she or anyone else know that the night would spell disaster … that in a matter of hours the industry would never be the same again.