This is a work of fiction and in no way infringes on the copyrights of Rupert Holmes or the producers of Remember WENN who own the characters of Jeff and Hilary. I just played with them for a while.
A big thanks to Biz, who encouraged and edited the story. This is my idea of how Jeff got his nickname.
Oct 28, 1931
He stared at her from across the room. She was literally the most attractive woman he'd ever seen. She wore a dark blue dress with matching shawl. Her flowing auburn hair framed her face. Finally, after working up enough courage he walked up to her. "Hello."
"Hello," Hilary replied as she looked up at him and smiled. "Can I help you?"
His throat tightened. "Um...I..I was hoping that you would be free for the next dance?"
"And you are," she inquired.
"I'm, I apologize, I'm Jeffrey Singer." He put out his hand and in mid-motion realized his mistake. "I...sorry, this was a bad idea. You are just so beautiful...I mean...you wouldn't happen to know of a dark cave I can crawl into," he stammered.
"Sorry, I don't," Hilary said through giggles, noting that he was adorable when he blushed. "I am Miss Hilary Booth. It's nice to met you."
"It has been nice meeting you, Miss Booth," he said. "I'm sorry for taking up your time." He turned to walk away but she caught his arm.
"You don't want to dance then?" she asked him.
"I...yes, of course I do."
During their fifth straight dance, Jeff felt a tap on his shoulder. "Excuse me, you are dancing with my date," the slightly drunken man slurred.
"You're John Barrymore!" Jeff exclaimed.
"I am? How interesting! You're still dancing with my date," he said as he pushed Jeff aside. "I want to go." He grabbed her arm and started to pull her away.
"John, you're hurting me," Hilary said sharply.
"I'm so very sorry," he said. Even Jeff could tell he didn't mean it. "Let's go."
"I am not ready to leave," Hilary stated.
"Hilary, don't start. You wanted to come, so we came, but you promised to leave when I said it was time." He leaned against Jeff for support. "It's time."
"Mr. Barrymore, I will see that Miss Booth gets home safely," Jeff offered.
"I'm sure you would, but she's my date." He turned to Hilary. "Coming?"
"Yes, John," she told him. She looked up at Jeff. "Thank you for the dances, Mr. Singer. You are a wonderful partner."
"Hilary," John said sternly.
Jeff watched Hilary as she supported Mr. Barrymore out of the ballroom. He sighed and turned to where they had been sitting between dances. He noticed that Hilary had left behind her wrap.
Grabbing it, he dashed out to find her. Jeff spotted her walking down the drive and called out. "Miss Booth, Miss Booth..."
However, the night sounds drowned him out. He ran after them, calling her name. Just as he was about to reach them, Hilary finally turned in his direction. Jeff, distracted by the smile on her face, didn't see the jack-o'-lanterns the host had placed along the walkway. His foot made contact with one and he tumbled onto his backside.
Hilary raced towards him and knelt down beside him. "Are you all right?" she asked.
"Yes," he mumbled. "You forgot your wrap." He looked around for the wrap when he realized that he was sitting on it. Moving into a squat position, he examined the wrap. "I'm sorry. It's ruined."
Hilary smiled at him and thought he looked like a little boy who'd just broken the cookie jar.
"Hilary!" John shouted.
Hilary glanced over her shoulder, "I'll be there in a second, hon." She looked back at Jeff. "Thank you...I enjoyed getting to know you, Hilary said, and took her wrap.
Jeff stood and extended his hand to her. He helped her to her feet and whispered, "The pleasure has been all mine."
Hilary looked him over. "Pumpkin..."
"What?" Jeff asked.
"You've got pumpkin all over your suit. It's ruined," she observed.
"Hil-ARY!" John shouted again, "are you coming or not?"
"Good-bye, Mr. Singer," Hilary said.
"Good-bye, Hilary," Jeff responded.
Hilary felt a chill run down her back as her name rolled off his tongue. She walked away, wanting to turn around just to see him one last time, but afraid of what would happen.
Jeff stood and watched her get into the limousine. Way to win the girl Singer. You're covered with pumpkin and she gets into a limousine with a star. He walked over to where his friend parked the car and decided to wait outside. He felt like a big enough fool already.
"Singer, I wondered where you were!" Jason Woods yelled as he approached his friend. "Well, you just cost me twenty bucks. I bet that you were with a certain actress for the evening."
"No, she left with her date, John Barrymore," he replied dejectedly.
"From what I hear Barrymore is about ready to find another companion," Jason said as he unlocked the car door. He placed his arm on the car roof as he continued talking. "Miss Booth is getting a little old for him."
"Old?" he questioned. "That old codger thinks the most beautiful woman in the world is too old for him?"
"Barrymore likes very young woman, and with his reputation, he can get them," Jason said. "Let's go. It's starting to rain. What happened to you?" he asked, noting his friends appearance.
"I lost a fight with a jack-o'-lantern," Jeff replied with a lopsided grin.
Oct. 29, 1931
Jeff answered his door to find a delivery boy with a box. "You Jeff Singer?" the boy asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"This is for you," the boy said as he handed Jeff the box. Jeff tipped the boy and went back inside.
"Who was that?" Jason asked.
"It was a delivery for me," Jeff replied as he opened the box. "It's a pie."
"Who's it from?" Jason asked as he stuck his finger in the pie for a taste.
"I said it was for me," Jeff kidded.
Mr. Singer, I wanted to thank you for the wonderful time I had last night. Hilary Booth
PS- I trust you will find this pumpkin more enjoyable than your last one.
"What's so funny?" Jason asked.
"Nothing," Jeff replied wistfully.
December 10, 1931
"Number ninety-eight, Jeffrey Singer." A voice rang out across the nearly deserted theater.
"Here!" Jeff shouted. He jumped up from his seat and bounded onto the stage. "Here."
"No kidding," the stage manager said. "Are you ready for your audition?"
"Yes sir!" he replied eagerly.
"Good," the older man said, rolling his eyes. "You'll be reading with number sixty-seven, Eliza.."
"I'll read the scene with Mr. Singer," a voice from the shadows said.
"Um, it would be faster if we auditioned two at a time," the older man reminded the voice.
"But Mr. Singer is auditioning for the leading man. The actresses are here for a bit part. What does one have to do with the other?" The woman stepped out from the shadows. "I will be auditioning with him."
"Yes, of course Miss Booth," he said.
Jeff stood grinning at her. She gave him a half-smile before taking her mark.
"Ready Mr. Singer?" the stage manager asked. "Mr. Singer?"
"Yeah what?" The words left his mouth before he even realized what he was saying. He heard Hilary giggle. "I am sorry. I'm ready." The older man just glared at him.
"He's just nervous, Stanley," Hilary said. "Why don't you reset the lighting for me and then we'll be ready to go."
"OK, Miss Booth," Stanley said as he walked backstage.
Hilary smiled out into the row of seats where the director was sitting. "You may want to give a better impression, Mr. Singer, if you want the job," she reminded him.
"I want this job more than anything," Jeff replied.
"The lights are ready whenever you are, Miss Booth," Stanley called from off stage.
"Take a deep breath. You'll be fine, Pumpkin," Hilary whispered.
Jeff did as he was told. By the end of the scene, Jeff and Hilary had everyone in the theater convinced that they had chemistry.
"Mr. Singer, please come back tomorrow for final auditions!" the director shouted to him.
"Yes sir," Jeff said.
Hilary walked with Jeff backstage and out the backstage exit.
"You gave a flawless reading Mr. Singer," Hilary said with a smile, "and I'm sure the part will be yours."
"It helped having someone as talented as you to act with," he complemented.
"Mr. Singer are you busy tonight?" Hilary inquired. "I've been invited to a holiday party, but don't have an escort."
"I'd love to, but what about Mr. Barrymore?" he asked.
"I haven't seen John since the night we first met," Hilary admitted hesitantly. "He didn't like that he didn't have my full attention."
"Then he's a fool," Jeff said, and took a step closer. "When and where should I call for you?"
"I'm staying at the Swan's Inn," she said. "You can call for me at seven-ish."
"Great," he replied. "I tried to find you...to thank you for the pie."
"You can thank me tonight." Hilary gave him a wicked smile.
Jeff nervously cleared his throat and checked his watch. "I have a bus to catch. I'll see you tonight." He ran down the alley and slid on a patch of ice. Making it to the end of the alley without falling, Jeff looked back and saw that Hilary was bracing herself against the wall while she laughed. Jeff gave her a boyish grin and disappeared around the corner.
That one could be dangerous she thought as she walked back into the theater. You may have a hard time shaking him in the end.
The End