Chapter 5 Summary

The caravan of guests includes several cars. While they drive, Claude tells Tod about Mrs. Jenning. She was once a silent film star. Her voice did not work well when talking pictures came in. I Instead of reducing herself to bit parts, like so many other actresses, she decided to open a brothel, or sporting house. She charges each "sportsman" $30 for a night with one of her girls, and she keeps half of that. She does, after all, have to take care of chauffeurs and a lifestyle that permits her to meet men who could pay $30.

When Tod and Claude arrive, she shows them to the screening room, and it becomes clear to Tod that they will view a film. This piques his interest. It's a French film about a maid in service to a family of four. The husband, wife and son...