1910s: Alice responds to Anna

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Dearest Anna! 

Did you hear the news? No, not about the war, I know for sure that you have heard those news and that they delight you where you are. Here it's little anyone can talk about. Most think it's the right thing to do, some are more hesitant, but apparently volunteers are flooding to the recruitment office and we here in Del Sol are more busy than ever. Charity parties are constant, though I am not important enough to be invited to most of them yet, but even in films. We make promotions for war bonds, for volunteering to the war, for joining the forces of nurses. It's all quite hectic. 

But that was not the news I was referring to. I was referring to the news of our sister. Mother is so excited that she even went to the grocers to borrow their telephone so she could share the news with me. We have a telephone in the upper floors of the building and mother knows it, but it still felt so strange to hear her voice from so far away. She said she could not possibly wait for the news of our sister's engagement to reach me. I bet she would have tried to telephone you in France had she known of a way to do so. 

So it seemed our sister got her wish, as Nash Sinclair proposed the moment he was old enough to do so. Of course they cannot marry yet, as he is being shipped out to Europe - or wherever it is they go to train ahead of leaving for Europe, in a matter of days. But Josephine is happy - well as happy as she can be. She is apparently also crying her heart out because the boy is leaving. 

I keep thinking of you, and your soldier. How is that going? Is he being sent back to the war? I am at the same time delighted for you and terrified for you. I do so want you to be happy my dearest Anna and I am praying that one day, I will get to meet your Maurice and see you so happy. 

 As for me things are busy, as I said. I have taken all of Judith's advice to heart. Before a shoot, I invite the director and any costars for dinner, so we can talk things over, although last time only the director showed up. It was a bit awkward but I have met him before and so it worked out alright. Oh, and one thing happened out of the ordinary. Judith Ward hosted one of her infamous parties and guess who was invited? It was not nearly as bad as the reputation said, but nice, and of course the drinks were flowing, but no need to be concerned, I paced myself and kept to only one drink. I do believe those kinds of parties are the key to getting better roles. Oh what if I could do something of real importance? A recruitment movie perhaps? Something that would show the significance of the effort you are making? I would really enjoy that. 

Write soon, as I always long to hear from you. It's strange, while there are always people around, I find myself more lonely than ever. 

Your loving sister, 
Alice 

 

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